Saint John's wort
nounusually abbreviated to: St John's wort
any of numerous shrubs or herbaceous plants of the temperate genus Hypericum, such as H. perforatum, having yellow flowers and glandular leaves: family Hypericaceae
a preparation of this plant often used to treat mild depression: See also rose of Sharon (def. 1), tutsan
Origin of Saint John's wort
1C15: so named because it was traditionally gathered on Saint John's Eve (June 23) as a protection against evil spirits
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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