Delphinia
[del-fin-ee-uh]
- an ancient Greek festival in honor of Apollo.
- Also Del·phine [del-feen] /dɛlˈfin/. a female given name: from a Greek word meaning “dolphin.”
Show More
delphinium
[del-fin-ee-uh m]
- any of numerous plants of the genus Delphinium, especially any of various tall, cultivated species having usually blue, pink, or white flowers.
Show More
Compare larkspur.
Origin of delphinium
1655–65; < New Latin < Greek delphī́nion larkspur, derivative of delphī́s (stem delphīn-) dolphin; so called from the shape of the nectary
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for delphinia
Historical Examples
Uncrystallised aconitia is sometimes contaminated with delphinia, as well as with aconella, another constituent of aconite root.
As such, his commonest name is Delphinius, the “dolphin god,” in whose honour the festival Delphinia was celebrated in Attica.
For external use in neuralgic and rheumatic affections, as a substitute for solution of delphinia.
Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume IIArnold Cooley
The sending of the maidens to propitiate the god during the Delphinia commemorates this event in the life of Theseus.
delphinium
- any ranunculaceous plant of the genus Delphinium: many varieties are cultivated as garden plants for their spikes of blue, pink, or white spurred flowersSee also larkspur
Show More
Word Origin
C17: New Latin, from Greek delphinion larkspur, from delphis dolphin, referring to the shape of the nectary
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012