comfrey
UK[ˈkʌmfri]US[ˈkʌmfri]
n
a tall plant of the borage family with large hairy leaves and clusters of purplish or white bell-shaped flowers, often used in herbal medicine.
Etymology
the word "comfrey" entered middle english as "cumfirie," borrowed from the anglo-french "confirie." this, in turn, derives from the vulgar latin "confervia," a noun use of the latin "confervere," meaning "to boil together." the name reflects the plant's historical use in herbal poultices, where it was believed to help "boil" or heal wounds. the latin verb is a compound of "com-" (together) and "fervere" (to boil), but these elements are not transparently segmented in the modern english form "comfrey."
Analysis
the word is a simplex loanword where the morphemes from its source language are not directly recoverable or productive in modern english spelling.
Examples
she applied a comfrey salve to the bruise to reduce swelling.
comfrey grows vigorously in damp, shady corners of the garden.
many herbalists caution against internal use of comfrey due to potential toxicity.