n. a cosmopolitan genus of usually perennial herbs with asterlike flowers; the leaves were formerly used medicinally, but now are only occasionally so used.
‖n. pl. [ NL., fr. Gr. &unr_;, &unr_;. ] (Gr. Antiq.) Magistrates in Sparta, who with the ephori and kings, constituted the supreme civil authority. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Gr. &unr_;, &unr_;, an old man + &unr_; to rule. ] Government by old men. [ R. ] Gladstone. [ 1913 Webster ]