crown imperial

American  

noun

1. an Iranian plant, Fritillaria imperialis, of the lily family, having a purple-spotted stem and a whorl of usually reddish-orange flowers hanging beneath a tuft of leaves, grown as an ornamental.

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crown imperial British  

noun

1. a liliaceous garden plant, Fritillaria imperialis, with a cluster of leaves and orange bell-shaped flowers at the top of the stem

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Etymology

Origin of crown imperial

First recorded in 1535–45

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

crown imperial

The monarch sat on his judgment-seat, On his brow the crown imperial shone, The prisoner Fay was at his feet, And his peers were ranged around the throne.

From Selections from American poetry, with special reference to Poe, Longfellow, Lowell and Whittier by Margaret Spraque Carhart

His realm is declared to be an empire, and his crown imperial, by many acts of parliament, particularly the statutes 24 Hen.

From Commentaries on the Laws of England Book the First by Sir William Blackstone

Briars, carnations, gillyflower, cork, oxlips, crown imperial, currants, daffodils, dates, saffron, flax, lilies, flower-de-luce, garlick, ivy, lavender, mints, savory, marjoram, marigold, nettle, oak, warden, squash, pines, prunes, primrose, damask-roses, rice, raisins, rosemary, rue, thorns, violets.

From The plant-lore & garden-craft of Shakespeare by Henry Nicholson Ellacombe

Sow the seeds of flower de luce and crown imperial, as also of auriculas and polyanthuses, according to the method before recommended.

From The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches, Adapted to the Use of Private Families by Mary Eaton

Spedding’s crown imperial of a cranium struck them like a view of Teneriffe or Atlas.”

From Tennyson and His Friends by Various