baby's-breath

or ba·bies'-breath

[ bey-beez-breth ]

noun

1. a tall plant, Gypsophila paniculata, of the pink family, having lance-shaped leaves and numerous small, fragrant, white or pink flowers.

baby's-breath

noun

1. a tall Eurasian caryophyllaceous plant, Gypsophila paniculata , bearing small white or pink fragrant flowers
2. any of several other plants, such as the grape hyacinth and certain bedstraws, that have small scented flowers

Word History and Origins

Origin of baby's-breath¹

First recorded in 1885–90; so called from its delicate odor and bloom