pipsissewa

American  

[pip-sis-uh-wuh, -waw] / pɪpˈsɪs ə wə, -ˌwɔ /

noun

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

---

pipsissewa British  

/ pɪpˈsɪsəwə /

noun

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

---

Etymology

Origin of pipsissewa

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

Example Sentences

A rich southern wood that once held mayapple and pipsissewa.

From "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy

Some of its kin dwell in bogs and wet places, but this plant and the shin-leaf carpet drier woodland where dwarf cornels, partridge vines, pipsissewa, and goldthread weave their charming patterns too.

From Wild Flowers An Aid to Knowledge of Our Wild Flowers and Their Insect Visitors by Blanchan, Neltje

"You have been a long way to get some of those," he said: "that pipsissewa grows in hemlock woods, and the nearest are several miles from here."

From Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Vol. 26, October, 1880 by Various

Margat went out and gathered a lapful of pipsissewa to make tea, of which Corney was encouraged to drink copiously.

From Animal Heroes by Seton, Ernest Thompson

He observed among the wild plants that she had gathered the mottled leaves and waxy blossoms of the pipsissewa and its cousin the shinleaf.

From Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Vol. 26, October, 1880 by Various