pipsissewa

[ pip-sis-uh-wuh, -waw ]

/ pɪpˈsɪs ə wə, -ˌwɔ /

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noun

any evergreen plant of the genus Chimaphila, especially C. umbellata, the leaves of which are used medicinally for their tonic, diuretic, and astringent properties.

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Also called prince's-pine.

Origin of pipsissewa

1780–90, Americanism; perhaps <Eastern Abenaki kpi-pskwáhsawe literally, flower of the woods

Words nearby pipsissewa

pipkin, Pippa, pipper, pipperoo, pippin, pipsissewa, pipsqueak, pipy, Piqua, piquancy, piquant

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use pipsissewa in a sentence

Growing alongside of it you are very likely to find the Pipsissewa, with its beautiful perfume and ever-green leaves.
Woodcraft|Alan Douglas

British Dictionary definitions for pipsissewa

pipsissewa

/ (pɪpˈsɪsəwə) /

noun

any of several ericaceous plants of the Asian and American genus Chimaphila, having jagged evergreen leaves and white or pinkish flowersAlso called: wintergreen

Word Origin for pipsissewa

C19: from Cree pipisisikweu, literally: it breaks it into pieces, so called because it was believed to be efficacious in treating bladder stones

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