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

Samnite bronze head, a rare Waldesian Evangelical community and an ancient annual pageant with pagan roots that venerates a circular cane garlanded in wild cyclamen flowers.

From New York Times • Jan. 22, 2024

Add cold-season plantings like primroses, pansies, heather and cyclamen to pots and window boxes.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 2, 2024

Her taste at the Reserve is expressed in the Rhododendron Glen, the Ravine, the candelabra primulas, ginger, cyclamen, oxalis and other wildflowers on the property.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 14, 2023

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

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