lady's-slipper

or la·dy-slip·per

[ ley-deez-slip-er ]

noun
  1. any orchid of the genus Cypripedium, the flowers of which have a protruding petal somewhat resembling a slipper: all species are reduced in numbers, some greatly.

  2. any of several other related plants having similar flowers, as of the genera Paphiopedilum and Phragmipedium.

Origin of lady's-slipper

1
An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

Words Nearby lady's-slipper

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for lady's-slipper

lady's-slipper

noun
  1. any of various orchids of the Eurasian genus Cypripedium, esp C. calceolus, having reddish or purple flowers: See also moccasin flower, cypripedium

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