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Webster 1913 Edition

(k?st′m?-r?)

Noun.

[L.

costum

an Oriental aromatic plant (Gr. [GREEK][GREEK][GREEK], cf. Ar.

kost

kust

) +

Maria

Mary. Cf.

(Bot.)

A garden plant (

Chrysanthemum Balsamita

) having a strong balsamic smell, and nearly allied to tansy. It is used as a pot herb and salad plant and in flavoring ale and beer. Called also

alecost

Noun.

[Gr. L., an aromatic plant, and Maria.] A species of tansy, or Tanacetum; alecost.

Tanacetum balsamita

costmary ‎(usually uncountable, plural costmaries)

An aromatic plant, Tanacetum balsamita, once used to flavour ale (prior to the use of hops)