dogtooth violet

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.

Origin of dogtooth violet

First recorded in 1620–30

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

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