[loose.strife] n [intended as trans. of Gk lysimacheios loosestrife (as if fr. lysis act of loosing + machesthai to fight)--more at lysis] (1548) 1: any of a genus (Lysimachia) of plants of the primrose family with leafy stems and usu. yellow or white flowers
2: any of a genus (Lythrum, family Lythraceae, the loosestrife family) of herbs having entire leaves and including some with showy spikes of purple flowers; esp: purple loosestrife