Definition of "burnet"

burnet

/ˈbɜːnɪt/

noun
usually uncountable, plural burnets
1. Any of the herbs of genus Sanguisorba (syn. Poterium), including salad burnet (Sanguisorba minor), an herb used in salads and herbal teas.
  Quotations
  ASPARAGUS, cauliflowers, imperial Sileſia, royal and cabbage lettuces, burnet, purſlain, cucumbers, naſturtian flowers, peaſe and beans ſown in October, artichokes, ſcarlet ſtrawberries, and kidney beans.
  1767, A Lady [Hannah Glasse], The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Eaſy […] ‎, page 326
2. Any of several species of moths of the family Zygaenidae, typically having black forewings with red spots.
  Quotations
  There are a few day-flying exceptions such as hummingbird hawk-moths, silver Ys, cinnabars, scarlet tigers and burnets but, in general, knowledge of moths lags behind that of butterflies.
  2015, Norman Maclean, A Less Green and Pleasant Land, page 223