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

See Examples For:

lady's-slipper

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

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

The spring-beauty, the painted trillium, the fringed polygala, the showy lady's-slipper, are all more striking to look upon, but they do not quite touch the heart; they lack the soul that perfume suggests.

From The Wit of a Duck and Other Papers by Burroughs, John

I was to have neither arbor nor trellis,—no sweet-scented honeysuckle clustering over an elaborate framework,—no parterre of beautiful flowers, glorious to behold, but producing no profit,—not even marigold or lady's-slipper.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 16, No. 93, July, 1865 by Various

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