thymus vulgaris

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

Thymus vulgaris
    n 1: common aromatic garden perennial native to the western
         Mediterranean; used in seasonings and formerly as medicine
         [syn: {common thyme}, {Thymus vulgaris}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Thyme \Thyme\ (t[imac]m), n. [OE. tyme, L. thymum, Gr. qy`mon,
   qy`mos; cf. qy`ein, to sacrifice, qy`os a sacrifice,
   offering, incense: cf. F. thym; -- perhaps so named because
   of its sweet smell. Cf. {Fume}, n.] (Bot.)
   Any plant of the labiate genus {Thymus}. The garden thyme
   ({Thymus vulgaris}) is a warm, pungent aromatic, much used to
   give a relish to seasoning and soups.
   [1913 Webster]

         Ankle deep in moss and flowery thyme.    --Cowper.
   [1913 Webster]

   {Cat thyme}, a labiate plant ({Teucrium Marum}) of the
      Mediterranean religion. Cats are said to be fond of
      rolling on it. --J. Smith (Dict. Econ. Plants).

   {Wild thyme}, {Thymus Serpyllum}, common on banks and
      hillsides in Europe.
      [1913 Webster]

            I know a bank where the wild thyme blows. --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]