lav|en|der

lav|en|der «LAV uhn duhr», adjective, noun, verb.

–adj.

pale-purple.

–n.

1. a pale purple.

2. a) a plant the mint family, especially a small shrub native to the Mediterranean region, having spikes of small, fragrant, pale-purple flowers, yielding an oil (lavender oil or oil of lavender) much used in perfumes and in medicine. b) its dried flowers, leaves, and stalks used to perfume or preserve linens or clothes: »

a chest full of lavender and old lace.

–v.t.

to perfume with lavender; put lavender among (linen).

╂[< Anglo-French lavendre < Medieval Latin lavendula, also livendula; origin uncertain]