foxglove

[foks-gluhv]

noun

any Eurasian plant belonging to the genus Digitalis, of the figwort family, especially D. purpurea, having drooping, tubular, purple or white flowers on tall spikes, and leaves that are the source of digitalis in medicine.

Origin of foxglove

before 1000; Middle English foxes glove, Old English foxes glōfa. See fox, glove

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

Examples from the Web for foxglove

Historical Examples of foxglove

That the exhibition of the Foxglove was but seldom attended with sickness.
An Account of the Foxglove and some of its Medical Uses
William Withering
Among the fern at this season stood the tall dead stalks of foxglove.
Armorel of Lyonesse
Walter Besant
The Foxglove leaves are broad and long, and they are pointed at the end.
Flowers Shown to the Children
C. E. Smith
In irregular flowers, like the snapdragon and foxglove, the decoration is irregular.
Colouration in Animals and Plants
Alfred Tylor
A rival in sound could be made by popping the foxglove's fingers.
Child Life in Colonial Days
Alice Morse Earle

British Dictionary definitions for foxglove

foxglove

noun

any Eurasian scrophulariaceous plant of the genus Digitalis, esp D. purpurea, having spikes of purple or white thimble-like flowers. The soft wrinkled leaves are a source of digitalis

Word Origin for foxglove

Old English

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 foxglove

Old English foxes glofa; the reason for fox is uncertain. Cf. Old English foxesfot ("fox foot") "xiphion;" foxesclate "burdock."

foxglove in Medicine

foxglove

[fŏks′glŭv′]

Any of several herbs of the genus Digitalis, especially D. purpurea, having a long cluster of large, tubular, pinkish-purple flowers and leaves that are the source of the drug digitalis.