scabious

UK: /ˈskeɪbɪəs/ US: (skā′bē əs)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

sca•bi•ous¹  (skā′bē əs), adj. 

1. Pathology covered with or consisting of scabs;
   scabby.
2. Pathology pertaining to or of the nature of scabies.

• scabi(es) + -ous 1595–1605

sca•bi•ous²  (skā′bē əs), n. 

1. Plant Biology Also called pincushion flower. any of various plants belonging to the genus Scabiosa, of the teasel family, having opposite leaves and often showy flower heads in a variety of colors.
2. Plant Biology any of various similar or related plants.

• Medieval Latin scabiōsa (herba) scabies-curing (herb); see scabies, -ous
• Middle English scabiose 1350–1400

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

scabious / ˈskeɪbɪəs/ adjective

1. having or covered with scabs
2. of, relating to, or resembling scabies

Etymology: 17th Century: from Latin scabiōsus, from scabies

scabious / ˈskeɪbɪəs/ noun

1. any plant of the genus Scabiosa, esp S. atropurpurea, of the Mediterranean region, having blue, red, or whitish dome-shaped flower heads: family Dipsacaceae

Etymology: 14th Century: from Medieval Latin scabiōsa herba the scabies plant, referring to its use in treating scabies