Johnny-jump-up

American  

[jon-ee-juhmp-uhp] / ˈdʒɒn iˈdʒʌmpˌʌp /

noun

1. any of certain violets, especially Viola pedunculata, having variously colored flowers.

2. a small form of the pansy, V. tricolor.

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Johnny-jump-up British  

noun

1. any of several violaceous plants, esp the wild pansy

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Etymology

Origin of Johnny-jump-up

1835–45, so called from its rapid rate of growth; see Johnny

Example Sentences

In the U. S., only brash, Johnny-jump-up William Saroyan hastens more incontinently to answer his critics than Playwright Clifford Odets.

From Time Magazine Archive

In a very short time a butterfly was brought out, and harnessed to a first-class Johnny-jump-up.

From Ting-a-ling by Stockton, Frank Richard

But Johnny-jump-up suits 'em best, for it kind o' tells how they come up in the spring.

From Aunt Jane of Kentucky by Strong, Beulah