/bet"n ee/ , n. , pl. betonies .
1. a plant, Stachys (formerly Betonica ) officinalis, of the mint family, having hairy leaves and dense spikes of purple flowers, formerly used in medicine and dyeing.
2. any of various similar plants, esp. of the genus Pedicularis.
[ bef. 1000; late ME; ME betayny, betanie betonia, re-formation of L betonica (Pliny), in earlier readings vettonica ( herba ) Vettonic (herb) ( Vetton ( es ) an Iberian tribe + -ica, fem. of -icus -IC); cf. ME beteyne, betoyne ( bet ( t ) onice ( ]