impatiens

American  

[im-pay-shuhnz] / ɪmˈpeɪ ʃənz /

noun

• impatiens
  plural

1. any of numerous plants belonging to the genus Impatiens, of the balsam family, having irregular flowers in which the calyx and corolla are not clearly distinguishable and bearing fruit that bursts open to scatter the seeds.

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impatiens British  

/ ɪmˈpeɪʃɪˌɛnz /

noun

1. any balsaminaceous plant of the genus Impatiens, such as balsam, touch-me-not, busy Lizzie, and policeman's helmet

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• impatiens
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of impatiens

1880–85; < New Latin, Latin impatiēns not enduring, not tolerating ( see impatient); alluding to the plant's quick release of seeds upon slight contact; compare the familiar name touch-me-not

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

impatiens

The virus, impatiens necrotic spot virus, or INSV, and the disease, Pythium wilt, have both been around for years.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 21, 2022

On the porch, Labik hung a basket overflowing with purple flowers, and filled planters with daisies, impatiens and begonias, and when July 4 came, she twirled sparklers.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 8, 2021

On June 22, the first day the rules that expanded outdoor dining went into effect, she went to a garden store in Nassau County for potted palms, New Guinea impatiens, purple coleus and artificial turf.

From New York Times ● Jul. 9, 2020

I asked if I could plant a section, and soon I was coaxing marigolds and New Guinea impatiens from their cells and threading them through the holes toward the base of the dinosaur side.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 11, 2018

Abuela and Lolo plant new beds of impatiens to last for the winter.

From "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina

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