Christmas rose

[ kris-muhs rohz ]

noun

1. a European hellebore, Helleborus niger, widely cultivated for its attractive and hardy evergreen leaves and white-to-purplish flowers that bloom in the winter: the entire Christmas rose plant is poisonous.

Christmas rose

noun

1. an evergreen ranunculaceous plant, Helleborus niger, of S Europe and W Asia, with white or pinkish winter-blooming flowers Also calledhelleborewinter rose

Word History and Origins

Origin of Christmas rose¹

First recorded in 1680–90

Example Sentences

And the Christmas Rose, holding her blossom-standard in one hand, peeped out.

From Project Gutenberg

In the south it blooms in January and is sometimes called Christmas-rose.

From Project Gutenberg

"It is a Christmas Rose, dear," said Thornhill, who had entered as the boy spoke.

From Project Gutenberg

Let the Christmas Rose be a harbinger of joy to both of you.

From Project Gutenberg

As a cut bloom, the Christmas Rose vies with the eucharis and pancratium.

From Project Gutenberg