lupine

[loo-pin]

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noun

any of numerous plants belonging to the genus Lupinus, of the legume family, as L. albus (white lupine), of Europe, bearing edible seeds, or L. perennis, of the eastern U.S., having tall, dense clusters of blue, pink, or white flowers.

Nearby words

Origin of lupine

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin lupīnus, lupīnum, apparently noun use of lupīnus lupine²; compare German wolfsbohne lupine, literally, wolf bean

lupine

[loo-pahyn]

adjective

pertaining to or resembling the wolf.

related to the wolf.

savage; ravenous; predatory.

Origin of lupine

1650–60; < Latin lupīnus of a wolf, equivalent to lup(us) wolf + -īnus -ine¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for lupine

Akysonov has a gang of fascistic ultras known as the Lupine Hordes, which are intent on invading Moscow and restoring Holy Russia.
This 1979 Novel Predicted Putin’s Invasion Of Crimea|Michael Weiss|May 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
America is at war with Lupine rebels, because the country is rich in uranium.
The Werewolf Novel as Post-9/11 Political Allegory?|Roxane Gay|May 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Lupine-seed, in plant-lore “lupine” means wolfish, and is suggestive of the Evil One.
The Browning Cyclopdia|Edward Berdoe
Impelled by an urge within himself Ben suddenly knelt beside his lupine friend.
The Sky Line of Spruce|Edison Marshall

This had, for two or three days, disputed the ground with the lupine and phlox.
At Home And Abroad|Margaret Fuller Ossoli
He had, however, taught his wife how to treat him when in his lupine form.
Traditions, Superstitions and Folk-lore|Charles Hardwick
The sun pays tribute to them in gold; the rain, in mosses and ferns; the Spring, in lupine flowers.
The Book of Khalid|Ameen Rihani

British Dictionary definitions for lupine

lupine

adjective

of, relating to, or resembling a wolf

Word Origin for lupine

C17: from Latin lupīnus, from lupus wolf

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

Word Origin and History for lupine