calceolaria

American  

[kal-see-uh-lair-ee-uh] / ˌkæl si əˈlɛər i ə /

noun

1. any plant of the genus Calceolaria, of the figwort family, various species of which are cultivated for their slipperlike flowers.

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calceolaria British  

/ ˌkælsɪəˈlɛərɪə /

noun

1. Also called: slipperwort.  any tropical American scrophulariaceous plant of the genus Calceolaria: cultivated for its speckled slipper-shaped flowers

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Etymology

Origin of calceolaria

1840–50; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin calceol ( us ) small shoe ( calce ( us ) shoe + -olus -ole ¹ ) + -āria -aria

Example Sentences

In the family of the Scrophulariaceae I experimented on species in the six following genera: Mimulus, Digitalis, Calceolaria, Linaria, Verbascum, and Vandellia.

From Effects of Cross and Self Fertilisation in the Vegetable Kingdom by Darwin, Charles

I say, old fellow, I've won Calceolaria, but I sha'n't have her, because I consider the bet drawn.

From Beatrice Boville and Other Stories by Ouida

Every child in our town used to have a Calceolaria in her own small garden plot, but I never wanted one.

From Old-Time Gardens Newly Set Forth by Earle, Alice Morse

It was not the fault of the Geranium or of the Calceolaria that they had been grievously misused and made to usurp too large a share of our garden spaces.

From Wood and Garden Notes and thoughts, practical and critical, of a working amateur by Jekyll, Gertrude

They didn't call it a boarding-house, which is neither high nor musical; they called it "The Calceolaria."

From The Forerunner, Volume 1 (1909-1910) by Gilman, Charlotte Perkins