ˈsen.ˌtȯrē, -ärē noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English centaure, from Middle French centaurée, from Medieval Latin centaurea, from Latin centaureum & Late Latin centauria, from Greek kentaureion, kentauriē, from Kentauros centaur; from the belief that its medicinal properties were discovered by the centaur Chiron
1. : a plant of the genus Centaurium ; especially : an Old World herb ( Centaurium umbellatum ) formerly used as a tonic
2. : american centaury
3. : any of several plants of the genus Centaurea ; especially : knapweed