ˈpeləˌtōrē, -tȯr-, -ri noun
( -es )
Etymology: alteration of earlier peletyr, from Middle English peletre, modification of Middle French piretre, from Latin pyrethrum — more at pyrethrum
1.
a. or pellitory-of-spain ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ usually capitalized S : a southern European plant ( Anacyclus pyrethrum ) resembling yarrow
b. : the root of this plant formerly used as a sialagogue and as a constituent of dentifrice
2. or pellitory-of-the-wall ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷
[alteration of earlier paritory, from Middle English paritorie, modification of Middle French paritaire, from Late Latin parietaria — more at parietaria ]
: any plant of the genus Parietaria (as P. officinalis, P. pennsylvanica )
3. : any of various plants resembling the southern European pellitory: as
a. : feverfew
b. : a yarrow ( Achillea millefolium )
c. : masterwort a