lupine

¹

[ loo-pin ]

noun

1. 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.

lupine

²

[ loo-pahyn ]

adjective

1. pertaining to or resembling the wolf.
2. related to the wolf.
3. savage; ravenous; predatory.

lupine

/ ˈluːpaɪn /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling a wolf

lupine

/ lo̅o̅′pīn′ /

1. Characteristic of or resembling wolves.

Word History and Origins

Origin of lupine¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin lupīnus, lupīnum, apparently noun use of lupīnus lupine ²; compare German wolfsbohne lupine, literally, wolf bean

Origin of lupine²

1650–60; < Latin lupīnus of a wolf, equivalent to lup ( us ) wolf + -īnus -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of lupine¹

C17: from Latin lupīnus, from lupus wolf

Example Sentences

Akysonov has a gang of fascistic ultras known as the Lupine Hordes, which are intent on invading Moscow and restoring Holy Russia.

From The Daily Beast

America is at war with Lupine rebels, because the country is rich in uranium.

From The Daily Beast

A lavender-colored arctic lupine grows in decorative masses.

From Project Gutenberg

And what more thoroughly representative of cruelty, savageness, and treachery than a wolf, or even something partly lupine!

From Project Gutenberg

Poppies and lupine and many others are the flower tradition of California but they are not what I mean here.

From Project Gutenberg

Like these creatures, it was canine in shape—lupine we should rather say—but of an exceedingly grotesque and ungainly figure.

From Project Gutenberg

There was something furtive and lupine about him that suggested the wild beast stalking its kill.

From Project Gutenberg