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

Bright indirect sunlight and cool temperatures are essential to the life of your cyclamen.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 1, 2022

“Tucking in the plants for a winter snooze and watching grow winter flowers like primrose and pansy and cyclamen come to life.”

From Seattle Times • Sep. 8, 2021

White primroses huddled beneath the trees, and cyclamen with their green and silver leaves were scattered among the hedges and outcroppings of rocks like strange cups of snow.

From "The Reader" by Traci Chee