lady's-slipper

American  

[ley-deez-slip-er] / ˈleɪ dizˌslɪp ər /

Or lady-slipper

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.

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lady's-slipper British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of lady's-slipper

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

Example Sentences

Later in the season yellow is frequently accompanied with fragrance, as in the evening primrose, the yellow lady's-slipper, horned bladderwort, and others.

From A Year in the Fields by Burroughs, John

Show a botanist a landscape, and he will tell you where to look for the lady's-slipper, the columbine, or the harebell.

From Wake-Robin by Burroughs, John

From a profusion of wild flowers I especially remark the moccasin-flower or stemless lady's-slipper.

From Memories and Anecdotes by Sanborn, Kate

The possessive case and its governing noun, combining to form a metaphorical name, should be written with both apostrophe and hyphen; as, Job's-tears, Jew's-ear, bear's-foot, colts-tooth, sheep's-head, crane's-bill, crab's-eyes, hound's-tongue, king's-spear, lady's-slipper, lady's-bedstraw, &c.

From The Grammar of English Grammars by Brown, Goold

You could have knocked me down with a lady's-slipper.

From Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great - Volume 12 Little Journeys to the Homes of Great Scientists by Hubbard, Elbert