impatiens

American  

[im-pey-shuhnz] / ɪmˈpeɪ ʃənz /

noun

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

Inflected Forms

noun

• impatiens
  plural

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

Example Sentences

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

Leafy greens, herbs and some varieties of flowers, like impatiens and begonias, do well in the shade.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 22, 2022

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

She and Mia planted flowers such as red impatiens and yellow snapdragons in a plot in a local park.

From Washington Post • Aug. 17, 2018

At length, Bono opined, “I don’t believe those impatiens will ever grow near the pine tree. What do you reckon?”

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson