peony

[pee-uh-nee]

noun

plural

peonies 

1. any of various plants or shrubs of the genus Paeonia, having large, showy flowers, as the widely cultivated species P. lactiflora: the state flower of Indiana.

peony

/ ˈpiːənɪ /

noun

1. any of various ranunculaceous shrubs and plants of the genus Paeonia, of Eurasia and North America, having large pink, red, white, or yellow flowers

2. the flower of any of these plants

Word History and Origins

Origin of peony¹

before 1000; Middle English < Late Latin peōnia, Latin paeōnia < Greek paiōnía peony, akin to Paiā́n paean; replacing Middle English pione < Anglo-French < Old French peone < Latin; replacing Old English peonie < Late Latin, Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of peony¹

Old English peonie, from Latin paeōnia, from Greek paiōnia; related to paiōnios healing, from paiōn physician

Example Sentences

It told me a vase of white peonies in my bedroom contained yellow chrysanthemums, and confidently misidentified a plate of poppadoms as tortilla chips.

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It’s not uncommon for cabbage, kale and blueberries to dot flower beds filled with peonies, delphiniums, roselilies and beyond.

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Dr. Biden said the dinner had been designed with springtime in Washington in mind, and the decorations would evoke a garden of her favorite flowers, including sweet pea, roses and peonies.

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However, plants that need a minimum number of winter chill hours to bloom, like lilacs and herbaceous peonies, may not do as well in this environment.

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There are species peonies, too, and other treasures.

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