lychnis

[lik-nis]

noun

1. any showy-flowered plant belonging to the genus Lychnis, of the pink family.

lychnis

/ ˈlɪknɪs /

noun

1. any caryophyllaceous plant of the genus Lychnis, having red, pink, or white five-petalled flowers See also ragged robin

Word History and Origins

Origin of lychnis¹

1595–1605; < Latin < Greek lychnís red flower, akin to lýchnos lamp

Word History and Origins

Origin of lychnis¹

C17: New Latin, via Latin, from Greek lukhnis a red flower; related to lukhnos lamp

Example Sentences

The banks of the stream are covered with fine high trees, and many of the plants were in flower, especially the beautiful blue lychnis, the white oak, &c.

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Pliny and St. Isidore speak of a certain stone lychnis, of a scarlet or flame colour, which, when warmed by the sun or between the fingers, attracts straws or leaves of papyrus.

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The pink lychnis or ragged robin grows among the grasses; the iris flowers higher on the shore.

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Petal formed by the two lobes of lychnis without the retired fringe.

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In the lychnis of the high Alps, the red and white have a kind of sugary bloom, as rich as it is delicate.

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