mayflower

American  

[mey-flou-er] / ˈmeɪˌflaʊ ər /

noun

1. any of various plants that blossom in May, such as the hepatica or anemone in the United States, and the hawthorn or cowslip in England.

2. trailing arbutus.

3. Mayflower, the ship in which the Pilgrims sailed from Southampton, England, to North America in 1620.

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Mayflower ¹ British  

/ ˈmeɪˌflaʊə /

noun

1. the ship in which the Pilgrim Fathers sailed from Plymouth to Massachusetts in 1620

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mayflower ² British  

/ ˈmeɪˌflaʊə /

noun

1. any of various plants that bloom in May

2. another name for trailing arbutus

3. another name for hawthorn cowslip marsh marigold

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Mayflower Cultural  

1. The ship that carried the Pilgrims to America. It made a permanent landing near Plymouth Rock in 1620, after the Pilgrims had agreed to the Mayflower Compact.

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Etymology

Origin of mayflower

First recorded in 1560–70; May + flower

Example Sentences

“Epigea” refers to Epigaea repens, commonly known as trailing arbutus or mayflower: a low-growing shrub that produces clusters of pink flowers.

From Slate • May 17, 2016

The mayflower of the English fields and hedgerows was preeminently the hawthorn, known often just as "the may."

From Old Plymouth Trails by Packard, Winthrop

"Let us have a mayflower picnic tomorrow to celebrate Paddy's safe return."

From The Golden Road by Montgomery, L. M. (Lucy Maud)

It may not have been that way at all, but someone found that first mayflower and loved and named it.

From Old Plymouth Trails by Packard, Winthrop

The second day of her stay was so warm and springlike, that all voted for a mayflower picnic in the beautiful Plymouth woods.

From Brenda's Ward A Sequel to 'Amy in Acadia' by Reed, Helen Leah