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Webster 1913 Edition

Comfrey

Com′frey

,
Noun.
[Prob. from F.
conferve
, L.
conferva
, fr.
confervere
to boil together, in medical language, to heal, grow together. So called on account of its healing power, for which reason it was also called
consolida
.]
(Bot.)
A rough, hairy, perennial plant of several species, of the genus
Symphytum
.
☞ A decoction of the mucilaginous root of the “common comfrey” (
Symphytum officinale
) is used in cough mixtures, etc.; and the gigantic “prickly comfrey” (
Symphytum asperrimum
) is somewhat cultivated as a forage plant.

Webster 1828 Edition

Comfrey

COMFREY

,

Definition 2024

comfrey

comfrey

English

A comfrey plant

Alternative forms

Noun

comfrey ‎(countable and uncountable, plural comfreys)

  1. Any of several species of perennial herbs of the genus Symphytum, often specifically Symphytum officinale.
    • 2007 April 25, Kim Severson, “Farmer, Cookie Maker, Ecologist and, Yes, the Future King”, in New York Times:
      It thrives on compost and natural fertilizers brewed from comfrey or seaweed and uses only rain, natural groundwater or wastewater purified through a system of reed beds.

Translations

Etymology

From Medieval Latin cumfiria; this was possibly from earlier Latin conferva, an aquatic herb mentioned in Pliny.

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