impatiens

American  

[im-pey-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

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

Leave a tiny bit of space to pop in seasonal annuals, like pansies in winter, primroses in spring, New Guinea impatiens for shady spots or diascias and nemesias for summer sun.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 6, 2019

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

Bougainvillea and hibiscus, canna lilies, four o’clocks, impatiens, zinnias.

From The New Yorker • Jul. 28, 2016

“It’s the bright yellow one with the white impatiens under the porch.”

From "Okay for Now" by Gary D. Schmidt