hepatica

American  

[hi-pat-i-kuh] / hɪˈpæt ɪ kə /

noun

1. any plant belonging to the genus Hepatica, of the buttercup family, having heart-shaped leaves and delicate purplish, pink, or white flowers.

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hepatica British  

/ hɪˈpætɪkə /

noun

1. any ranunculaceous woodland plant of the N temperate genus Hepatica, having three-lobed leaves and white, mauve, or pink flowers

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Etymology

Origin of hepatica

1540–50; < Medieval Latin: liverwort, noun use of feminine of Latin hēpaticus hepatic

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hepatica

The pale blue hepatica, with leaves shaped like the lobes of the liver, was good for any liver disorder.

From Time Magazine Archive

Folks thought, Mr. Chris said, that hepatica leaves were good for liver medicine because the leaves were the shape of livers.

From "Miracles on Maple Hill" by Virginia Sorensen

A pupil disputed with his teacher about the hepatica, claiming in opposition that it was sweet-scented.

From A Year in the Fields by John Burroughs

"But listen; you don't listen," urged the lilac hepatica.

From A Round Dozen by Susan Coolidge

The left hepatica magna receives also the umbilical vein, which persists on the visceral surface of the abdominal wall, often anastomosing with the epigastric veins.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Slice 7 "Bible" to "Bisectrix" by Various