Lavender

[lav-uh n-der] /ˈlæv ən dər/

noun
1.
a pale bluish purple.
2.
any Old World plant or shrub belonging to the genus Lavandula, of the mint family, especially L. angustifolia, having spikes of fragrant, pale purple flowers.
3.
the dried flowers or other parts of this plant placed among linen, clothes, etc., for scent or as a preservative.
4.
Also called lavender water. toilet water, shaving lotion, or the like, made with a solution of oil of lavender.
adjective
5.
of the color lavender.
6.
Informal.

/ˈlævəndə/
noun
1.
any of various perennial shrubs or herbaceous plants of the genus Lavandula, esp L. vera, cultivated for its mauve or blue flowers and as the source of a fragrant oil (oil of lavender): family Lamiaceae (labiates) See also spike lavender Compare sea lavender
2.
the dried parts of L. vera, used to perfume clothes
3.

4.
perfume scented with lavender
5.
(modifier) (informal) of or relating to homosexuality: lavender language
n.

“fragrant plant of the mint family,” c.1300, from Anglo-French lavendre, Old French lavendre, from Medieval Latin lavendula “lavender” (10c.), perhaps from Latin lividus “bluish, livid.” Associated with French lavande, Italian lavanda “a washing” (from Latin lavare “to wash;” see lave) because it was used to scent washed fabrics and as a bath perfume. (An identical Middle English word meant “laundress, washerwoman;” also, apparently, “prostitute, whore; camp follower” and is attested as a surname from early 13c.). The adjective meaning “pale purple color” is from 1840.

adjective

Homosexual: Alberta Maged had marched with a coalition of groups including the Lavender Left and the Commie Queers/ Clinton dropped the gays like a flaming potato, suggesting they might serve in special lavender units

[1970s+; both blue and lavender are colors associated with homosexuality]