/chee"euh/ , n.
1. a plant, Salvia columbariae, of the mint family, native to the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, having mostly basal, oblong leaves and small blue flowers: the seeds are used as food and as the source of a beverage.
2. any of several similar related plants.
3. a beverage brewed from the seeds of any of these plants.
[ 1875-80; chía chiah, chian ]