ETYM Latin centaureum and centauria, Greek kentayrion, kentayreion, and kentayrie, from the Centaur Chiron.
1. Any of various plants of the genus Centaurium.
2. Any plant of the genus Centaurea.
Any of a genus (Centaurium) of low herbs of the gentian family; especially; an Old World herb (c. crythraea syn. c. umbellatum) that produces pink flowers and is used in herbal medicine.