origanum
|o-ri-ga-num|
🇺🇸
/ˌɔrɪˈɡænəm/
🇬🇧
/ˌɒrɪˈɡænəm/
aromatic mountain herb / oregano genus
Etymology
'origanum' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'origanum', ultimately from Greek 'ὀρίγανον (oríganon)', where 'oros' meant 'mountain' and 'ganos' meant 'joy' (so roughly 'joy of the mountain' referring to a fragrant mountain herb).
'origanum' changed from Greek 'ὀρίγανον' into Latin 'origanum' and then entered modern botanical Latin and English as the genus name 'Origanum'.
Initially it referred to the fragrant mountain herb (literally 'mountain joy'); over time it became the botanical genus name and is now used both scientifically and as the common name for oregano.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a genus of flowering plants in the mint family Lamiaceae, which includes species commonly known as oregano and marjoram.
Several species of origanum are grown for their aromatic leaves.
Last updated: 2025/09/24 22:59