Meanings
prunella1
prunella2
- obsoleteuncountablemedicineAny of various diseases characterised by inflammation of the mouth or throat.First known use 17th–18th c.
prunella3
- archaichistoricaluncountableA smooth worsted or silk fabric, generally black, formerly used for making shoes and clergymen's gowns.First known use 17th c.
When Edna knocked at Mademoiselle Reisz's front room door and entered, she discovered that person standing beside the window, engaged in mending or patching an old prunella gaiter.
1899, Kate Chopin, The Awakening
Origin
prunella · noun
- Latinprunella
- Englishprunella
From post-classical Latin prunella, from brunus + -ella, perhaps because of the plant's brown sepals.
More words from Latin
Full word history & related roots →prunella · noun
- Latinprunella
- Englishprunella
From post-classical Latin prunella, alternation of brunella (“infectious epidemic”), from brunus + -ella.
More words from Latin
Full word history & related roots →prunella · noun
Probably a variant of prunello, with reference to the colour of the fabric. Compare French prunelle.
Full word history & related roots →Rhymes & wordplay
Rhymes with prunella
Cite this entry
prunella. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/prunella
“prunella.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/prunella. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “prunella,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/prunella.
Source: prunella on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.