love-lies-bleeding

American

[luhv-lahyz-blee-ding] / ˈlʌvˌlaɪzˈbli dɪŋ /

noun

an amaranth, especially Amaranthus caudatus, having spikes of crimson flowers.

love-lies-bleeding British

noun

any of several amaranthaceous plants of the genus Amaranthus, esp A. caudatus, having drooping spikes of small red flowers

"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

Etymology

Origin of love-lies-bleeding

First recorded in 1600–10

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ay, ay! love-lies-bleeding; no doubt but she'll take care of that.

From Willy Reilly The Works of William Carleton, Volume One by Carleton, William

In the garden China asters, zenias, and prince's feather, dahlias, marigolds, and love-lies-bleeding were falling over one another in luxuriant waste.

From The Mormon Prophet by Dougall, Lily

Amaranthus, the typical genus, comprises A. caudātus, or love-lies-bleeding, a common plant in gardens, with pendulous racemes of crimson flowers; and A. hypochondriăcus, or prince's feather.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 1 A to Amide by Various

I ain’t seen a proper rose nor a love-lies-bleeding, nor a dahlia.”

From The Dingo Boys The Squatters of Wallaby Range by Stacey, W. S. (Walter S.)

"Give me yon spray of love-lies-bleeding," she said; then as it rested against the lily in her hand, "Wounds may be cured," she said.

From Sir Mortimer by Johnston, Mary

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023