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.

Nearby words

dogs, dogsbody, dogshore, dogsled, dogtooth, dogtooth violet, dogtrot, dogvane, dogwatch, dogwood, dogwood family

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