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houseleek

[ hous-leek ]

noun

  1. Also called old-man-and-old-woman. a succulent plant, Sempervivum tectorum, of the stonecrop family, native to Europe, having reddish flowers and leaves forming dense basal rosettes.
  2. any other plant of the genus Sempervivum.


houseleek

/ ˈhaʊsˌliːk /

noun

  1. any Old World crassulaceous plant of the genus Sempervivum, esp S. tectorum, which has a rosette of succulent leaves and pinkish flowers: grows on walls Also calledhen-and-chickens
“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


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Word History and Origins

Origin of houseleek1

First recorded in 1325–75, houseleek is from the Middle English word howsleke. See house, leek
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Example Sentences

The houseleek and bay tree were supposed to afford protection from lightning.

It is true that in that dim light the houseleek was only a dusky little knob.

Why does he let the houseleek remain on the roof; why trim and encourage the thick growth of ivy that clothes the chimney?

Bertie smoked his pipe, and surveyed the houseleek as if it were a newly-discovered star.

Charlemagne ordered the Houseleek to be planted on the roof of every house on this account.

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