SKIP TO CONTENT

vulnerary

/ˈvʌlnəˌrɛri/
IPA guide

Other forms: vulneraries

In the old days, anything described as vulnerary had healing or medicinal properties, like a vulnerary tea you might drink to help your upset stomach.

The old-fashioned word vulnerary can be used as a noun or an adjective to describe plants that are used to heal wounds or treat illnesses. Calendula flowers are sometimes used as a vulnerary, applied to the skin to soothe itchy rashes, and so are herbs like calendula, peppermint, and lavender. Vulnerary shares a root with vulnerable, the Latin vulnus, or "wound."

Definitions of vulnerary
  1. adjective
    (of plants, medicines, etc) capable of and used to heal wounds
  2. noun
    a remedy used to heal wounds (such as a plant or a medicine)
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘vulnerary'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family