dogtooth violet

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noun

Also called adder's-tongue, trout lily. any of several North American lilies of the genus Erythronium, having nodding flowers and usually mottled leaves.

a related Old World plant, E. dens-canis, having purplish flowers.

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Origin of dogtooth violet

First recorded in 1620–30

Words nearby dogtooth violet

dog's-tooth check, dog tag, dog tick, dog-tired, dogtooth, dogtooth violet, dog train, dogtrot, dog tucker, dogvane, dog violet

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use dogtooth violet in a sentence

Add a pop of color with a bright violet v-neck blouse from 3.1 Phillip Lim.
The Daily Beast’s 2014 Holiday Gift Guide: For the Carrie Bradshaw in Your Life|Allison McNearney|November 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The odd (though beautiful) pair here is Daisy and Violet Hilton, conjoined twins who were a hit on the vaudeville circuit.
Fall Broadway Preview: 'This Is Our Youth,' Bradley Cooper as ‘The Elephant Man,' and More|Janice Kaplan|September 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sutton Foster abandoned her usual perky personna to play scared and scarred in Violet, and voters may reward her effort.
Who Will Win the Tony Awards?|Janice Kaplan|June 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Certainly no one who knows me would accuse me of being a shrinking violet.
My Daughter Is Bossy—But Don’t Call Her That|Sally Kohn|March 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Streep plays Violet Weston, a woman unraveled after her husband's suicide.
Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts Finally Collide in ‘August: Osage County’|Kevin Fallon|December 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Large divans of the richest crimson and violet brocades lined the walls, while ample curtains of the same served in lieu of doors.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846|Various
She sat still as a statue, scarce breathing, her eyes fixed upon the violet sky.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
Benny was never too cross to listen to the wonderful stories his sister Violet could tell about Cinnamon Bear.
The Box-Car Children|Gertrude Chandler Warner
Violet was already curled up in her nest, which was hidden so completely that Henry spoke to her to see if she were there.
The Box-Car Children|Gertrude Chandler Warner
They pressed the hay back firmly until they had made their way into Violet's little room.
The Box-Car Children|Gertrude Chandler Warner

British Dictionary definitions for dogtooth violet

dogtooth violet

noun

a name for various plants of the liliaceous genus Erythronium, esp the North American E. americanum, with yellow nodding flowers, or the European E. dens-canis, with purple flowersAlso called: adders-tongue, fawn lily

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