calendula

noun

ca·​len·​du·​la kə-ˈlen-jə-lə 

-dyu̇-lə

: any of a small genus (Calendula) of yellow-rayed composite herbs of temperate regions

Examples of calendula in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This formula has calendula, chamomile and other botanical ingredients that soothed our dry skin while leaving our hands smelling great. —L.a. Hubilla, People.com, 1 Oct. 2024

Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, ruscus extract, Moroccan calendula extract Shades: 14 More to know: Jennifer Lopez is a fan too. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2024

The formula is shimmer-free, utilizing vitamin E, ruscus extract, and Moroccan calendula extract to keep skin youthful and protected. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2024

Like rudbeckia, calendula is quick to sprout from seed and plants can flower nearly continuously from late spring until the first hard frost. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin Calendula, genus name, probably borrowed from Italian calendola "the plant Calendula officinalis," from calenda "first day of the month" (borrowed from Latin Kalendae calends) + -ola, diminutive suffix

Note: Apparently a learned or semi-learned coinage in Italian. Dictionaries attribute the etymon to New Latin, but the earliest instance of it appears to be in Pietro Andrea Mattioli's Di Pedacio Dioscoride Anazarbeo libri cinque della historia & materia medicinale (Venice, 1544), an Italian translation of Dioscorides with Mattioli's commentary. According to Andrea Cesalpino's De plantis libri XVI (Florence, 1583, p. 495), "it is called Calendula in the vernacular, because it blooms monthly" ("Calendula vulgo appellatur; quia singulis mensibus floret …").

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

calendula

noun

ca·​len·​du·​la kə-ˈlen-jə-lə 

1

capitalized : a small genus of yellow-rayed composite herbs of temperate regions

2

: any plant of the genus Calendula

3

: the dried florets of plants of the genus Calendula (especially C. officinalis) sometimes used as a mild aromatic and diaphoretic