cyclamen

American  

[sahy-kluh-muhn, -men, sik-luh-] / ˈsaɪ klə mən, -ˌmɛn, ˈsɪk lə- /

noun

1. any low-growing plant of the genus Cyclamen, belonging to the primrose family, having tuberous rootstocks and nodding white, purple, pink, or crimson flowers with reflexed petals.

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cyclamen British  

/ ˈsɪkləmən, -ˌmɛn /

noun

1. any Old World plant of the primulaceous genus Cyclamen, having nodding white, pink, or red flowers, with reflexed petals See also sowbread

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adjective

1. of a dark reddish-purple colour

Etymology

Origin of cyclamen

1540–50; < New Latin, Medieval Latin < Greek kyklámīnos bulbous plant, akin to kýklos cycle

Example Sentences

The kidney-shaped leaves of cyclamen flowers — white, pink or lavender — have popped up between raised crypts.

From New York Times • Dec. 28, 2022

When she fled her home in eastern Ukraine, Hanna Obuzhevanna, 71, gave her keys to her neighbor to water the blooming cyclamen on her balcony, thinking she’d be back in just a few weeks.

From New York Times • Jul. 6, 2022

This month, you’ll find a precocious spring display filled with forced bulbs, florist azaleas, cyclamen and other cool-season flowers.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 15, 2022

As with cyclamen, the seeds have a sugary coating.

From Washington Post • Feb. 4, 2019

Then she rose gracefully to her feet, walked across the grass, and came back with a single cyclamen pinched between her thumb and forefinger.

From "The Reader" by Traci Chee