(n) annual of Mediterranean to Portugal having hairy stems and minutely spiny-toothed leaves and large heads of yellow flowers, Syn. sweet sultan, Cnicus benedictus
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English (GCIDE) v.0.53 Collaborative International Dictionary (GCIDE)
‖n. [ L., blessed. See Benedict, a. ] The song of Zacharias at the birth of John the Baptist (Luke i. 68); -- so named from the first word of the Latin version. [ 1913 Webster ]