masterwort
masterwort Lexical Profile
masterwort Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Any of several Eurasian herbaceous perennial plants of the genus Astrantia in the family Apiaceae, widely cultivated in gardens for their pincushion-like umbels of tiny flowers surrounded by a papery, star-shaped ruff of white, pink, or ruby-red floral bracts.
"The shady border was brightened by clumps of ruby-red masterwort blooming alongside the ferns."
A robust European perennial herb (Peucedanum ostruthium) of the family Apiaceae, native to central and southern mountains, bearing three-parted leaves, flat compound umbels of small white flowers, and a pungent aromatic root formerly prized in traditional medicine and liqueur making.
"In medieval alpine herbalism, the bitter root of masterwort was steeped to prepare a warming tonic."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in late Middle English from 'master' and 'wort' (from Old English 'wyrt', meaning 'plant' or 'herb'), translating the medieval Latin botanical name 'magistrantia', in reference to the exceptional medicinal virtues historically attributed to its root.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.