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impatiens

[ im-pey-shuhnz ]
/ ɪmˈpeɪ ʃənz /
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noun, plural im·pa·tiens.
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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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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use impatiens in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for impatiens

impatiens
/ (ɪmˈpeɪʃɪˌɛnz) /

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

Word Origin for impatiens

C18: New Latin from Latin: impatient; from the fact that the ripe pods burst open when touched
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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