columbine

See also: Columbine

English

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈkɒləmbʌɪn/

Etymology 1

From the Latin colombina herba (“dove-like plant”), the flower being likened to five clustered pigeons.

Noun

columbine (plural columbines)

  1. Any plant of the genus Aquilegia, having distinctive bell-shaped flowers with spurs on each petal.
Translations

Etymology 2

From Old French columbin (French colombin), from Latin columbinus, from dove, pigeon.

Adjective

columbine (comparative more columbine, superlative most columbine)

  1. (archaic) Pertaining to a dove or pigeon.
    • late 1500s, Geoffrey Chaucer, The Merchant's Tale:
      Com forþ now, wiþ þyne eyen columbyn! / How fairer been þy brestes þan is wyn!
    • Francis Bacon
      Columbine innocency.
Translations
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