-centaury-

n. [ L. centaureum and centauria, Gr. kentay`rion, kentay`reion, and kentayri`h, fr. the Centaur Chiron. ] (Bot.) A gentianaceous plant not fully identified. The name is usually given to the Erytheræa Centaurium and the Chlora perfoliata of Europe, but is also extended to the whole genus Sabbatia, and even to the unrelated Centaurea. [ 1913 Webster ]