borage
borage Lexical Profile
• noun
A bristly annual herbaceous plant (Borago officinalis) native to the Mediterranean region and belonging to the family Boraginaceae, cultivated in gardens for its rough-textured foliage and loose clusters of nodding, star-shaped bright blue or pinkish-purple flowers.
"Honeybees were busily visiting the vibrant blue blossoms of the borage planted along the border of the kitchen garden."
The edible young leaves, stems, and blossoms of the borage plant, which possess a crisp, refreshing cucumber-like flavor and are eaten raw in salads, cooked as a leafy green vegetable, or used as a garnish for summer drinks.
"The chef tossed fresh borage with sliced radishes and lemon vinaigrette to create a light summer salad."
• Rhymes for borage
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed via Old French bourrache from Medieval Latin borrago, likely derived either from Late Latin burra ('rough, shaggy cloth', referring to the plant's bristly leaves) or from Arabic abu 'araq ('father of sweat', referencing its traditional use as a diaphoretic medicine).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.