zinnia

[ zin-ee-uh ]

noun

1. any of several composite plants of the genus Zinnia, native to Mexico and adjacent areas, especially the widely cultivated species Z. elegans, having variously colored, many-rayed flower heads.

zinnia

/ ˈzɪnɪə /

noun

1. any annual or perennial plant of the genus Zinnia, of tropical and subtropical America, having solitary heads of brightly coloured flowers: family Asteraceae (composites)

Word History and Origins

Origin of zinnia¹

1760–70; < New Latin, named after J. G. Zinn (1727–59), German botanist; -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of zinnia¹

C18: named after J. G. Zinn (died 1759), German botanist

Example Sentences

They started with a zinnia, extracting live cells from its leaves and culturing them in a liquid growth medium so they would metabolize and proliferate.

From MIT Technology Review

The Zinnia is an excellent plant where a low hedge is desired.

From Project Gutenberg

Zinnia, many colours; one and one-half to two feet; July, August and September.

From Project Gutenberg

These zinnia seeds do not have the little prongs, because the zinnia does not need them.

From Project Gutenberg

She left the papers with Chub, and since the staff seemed busy, she went on home and started weeding the zinnia bed.

From Project Gutenberg

THE double varieties of Zinnia have entirely eclipsed the single form of this flower.

From Project Gutenberg