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

Words nearby impatiens

impassive, impaste, impasto, impatent, impatience, impatiens, impatient, impawn, impeach, impeachable, impeachment

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use impatiens in a sentence

To calm his nerves, he planted impatiens in his Georgetown garden.
Exclusive: Jeh Johnson Tapped to Lead Department of Homeland Security|Daniel Klaidman|October 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Terra satis ferax, frugiferarum arborum impatiens, pecorum fcunda, sed plerumque improcera.
Dderlein's Hand-book of Latin Synonymes|Ludwig Dderlein
This quality is expressed twice over in the Latin name Impatiens noli-me-tangere.
Springtime and Other Essays|Francis Darwin
The garden balsam is an annual plant, Impatiens balsamina, and the balsam apple is the fruit of Momordica balsamina, nat.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 2|Various

The production of a flower-bud has even been noticed on the root of a species of Impatiens.
Vegetable Teratology|Maxwell T. Masters
The two genera best known in British gardens are Balsamina and Impatiens.
Botany for Ladies|Jane Loudon

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