calendula

noun

ca·​len·​du·​la kə-ˈlen-jə-lə How to pronounce calendula (audio)
-dyu̇-lə
: any of a small genus (Calendula) of yellow-rayed composite herbs of temperate regions

Examples of calendula in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This formula has calendula, chamomile and other botanical ingredients that soothed our dry skin while leaving our hands smelling great. —L.a. Hubilla, People.com, 1 Oct. 2024 Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, ruscus extract, Moroccan calendula extract Shades: 14 More to know: Jennifer Lopez is a fan too. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2024 The formula is shimmer-free, utilizing vitamin E, ruscus extract, and Moroccan calendula extract to keep skin youthful and protected. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2024 Like rudbeckia, calendula is quick to sprout from seed and plants can flower nearly continuously from late spring until the first hard frost. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for calendula 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin Calendula, genus name, probably borrowed from Italian calendola "the plant Calendula officinalis," from calenda "first day of the month" (borrowed from Latin Kalendae calends) + -ola, diminutive suffix

Note: Apparently a learned or semi-learned coinage in Italian. Dictionaries attribute the etymon to New Latin, but the earliest instance of it appears to be in Pietro Andrea Mattioli's Di Pedacio Dioscoride Anazarbeo libri cinque della historia & materia medicinale (Venice, 1544), an Italian translation of Dioscorides with Mattioli's commentary. According to Andrea Cesalpino's De plantis libri XVI (Florence, 1583, p. 495), "it is called Calendula in the vernacular, because it blooms monthly" ("Calendula vulgo appellatur; quia singulis mensibus floret …").

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of calendula was in 1651

Dictionary Entries Near calendula

calends

calendula

calenture

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Calendula.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calendula. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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Medical Definition

calendula

noun
ca·​len·​du·​la kə-ˈlen-jə-lə How to pronounce calendula (audio)
1
capitalized : a small genus of yellow-rayed composite herbs of temperate regions
2
: any plant of the genus Calendula
3
: the dried florets of plants of the genus Calendula (especially C. officinalis) sometimes used as a mild aromatic and diaphoretic
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