/loohs"struyf'/ , n.
1. any of various plants belonging to the genus Lysimachia, of the primrose family, having clusters of usually yellow flowers, as L. vulgaris (garden loosestrife) or L. quadrifolia (whorled loosestrife) .
2. any of several plants belonging to the genus Lythrum, of the loosestrife family. Cf. purple loosestrife .
[ 1540-50; LOOSE (v.) + STRIFE, mistranslation of L lysimachia ( lysimáchei ( os ) + -a fem. n. suffix; see LYSI-, -MACHY), plant said to be named after a certain Lysímachos; see -IA ]