Real Dictionary

burnet in American English
any of a genus (Sanguisorba) of plants of the rose family, with white, red, purple, or greenish, apetalous flowers in thimble-shaped heads; esp., an herb (S. minor or more recently Poterium sanguisorba) with leaves that are used as in salads, seasonings,
noun: any of several plants belonging to the genera Sanguisorba and Poterium, of the rose family, having pinnate leaves and dense heads of small flowers

burnet in British English
noun: a plant of the rosaceous genus Sanguisorba (or Poterium), such as S. minor (or P. sanguisorba) ( salad burnet), which has purple-tinged green flowers and leaves that are sometimes used for salads
noun: Gilbert. 1643–1715, Scottish bishop and historian, who played a prominent role in the Glorious Revolution (1688–89); author of The History of My Own Times (2 vols: 1724 and 1734)