prince's-feather

American  

[prin-siz-feth-er] / ˈprɪn sɪzˈfɛθ ər /

noun

1. a tall, showy plant, Amaranthus hybridus erythrostachys, of the amaranth family, having reddish foliage and thick spikes of small, red flowers.

2. a hairy, much-branched, plant, Polygonum orientale, of the buckwheat family, native to Asia and Australia, having pink or rose-colored flower spikes, naturalized in North America.

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prince's feather British  

noun

1. an amaranthaceous garden plant, Amaranthus hybridus hypochondriacus, with spikes of bristly brownish-red flowers

2. a tall tropical polygonaceous plant, Polygonum orientale, with hanging spikes of pink flowers

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Etymology

Origin of prince's-feather

First recorded in 1620–30

Example Sentences

"And prince's-feather," added the lawyer, reminiscently; "that used to be a favourite of mine, I remember, when I was a country lad."

From Project Gutenberg