ragged robin

noun

1. a plant, Lychnis flos-cuculi, of the pink family, having pink or white flowers with dissected petals.

ragged robin

noun

1. See catchfly
   a caryophyllaceous plant, Lychnis floscuculi , native to Europe and Asia, that has pink or white flowers with ragged petals Also calledcuckooflower See also catchfly

Word History and Origins

Origin of ragged robin¹

First recorded in 1735–45

Example Sentences

The pink lychnis or ragged robin grows among the grasses; the iris flowers higher on the shore.

From Project Gutenberg

Hawthorn was dropping from the hedges; penny daisies and ragged robin were in the field, like laughter.

From Project Gutenberg

Paul came back and threaded daisies in her jet-black hair—big spangles of white and yellow, and just a pink touch of ragged robin.

From Project Gutenberg

Presently, he heard her low-voiced song as she came through the orange grove beyond the Ragged Robin hedge.

From Project Gutenberg

No yellowing spray of goldenrod, no blue-eyed ragged-robin, but symbolized the blessings of which he had been cheated.

From Project Gutenberg