eglantine

[eg-luh n-tahyn, -teen]

noun

the sweetbrier.

Origin of eglantine

1350–1400; Middle English < Middle French; Old French aiglent (< Vulgar Latin *aculentum, neuter of *aculentus prickly, equivalent to Latin acu(s) needle + -lentus adj. suffix) + -ine -ine¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for eglantine

Historical Examples of eglantine

He could think of nothing but an old familiar hedge of eglantine.
The Genius
Margaret Horton Potter
"That fellow Eglantine will create another Pun-ic war," said Sparkle.
The English Spy
Bernard Blackmantle
His sister was also a poet and her verses are included in the “Wreath of Eglantine.”
Southern Literature From 1579-1895
Louise Manly
This meed of poetic honour was an eglantine composed of silver.
Curiosities of Literature, Vol. 1 (of 3)
Isaac D'Israeli
But Sidonie cared no more for lilies of the valley than for eglantine.
Fromont and Risler, Complete
Alphonse Daudet

British Dictionary definitions for eglantine

eglantine

noun

another name for sweetbrier

Word Origin for eglantine

C14: from Old French aiglent, ultimately from Latin acus needle, from acer sharp, keen

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

Word Origin and History for eglantine

"sweet briar," c.1400, from French églantine, from Old French aiglent "dog rose," from Vulgar Latin *aquilentus "rich in prickles," from Latin aculeus "spine, prickle," diminutive of acus "needle" (see acuity).