/lav"euhn deuhr/ , n.
1. a pale bluish purple.
2. any Old World plant or shrub belonging to the genus Lavandula, of the mint family, esp. L. angustifolia, having spikes of fragrant, pale purple flowers.
3. the dried flowers or other parts of this plant placed among linen, clothes, etc., for scent or as a preservative.
4. Also called lavender water . toilet water, shaving lotion, or the like, made with a solution of oil of lavender.
[ 1225-75; ME lavendre lavendula, var. of livendula, nasalized var. of * lividula a plant livid in color. See LIVID, -ULE ]