soapwort

[sohp-wurt, -wawrt]

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noun

a plant, Saponaria officinalis, of the pink family, whose leaves are used for cleansing.

Origin of soapwort

First recorded in 1540–50; soap + wort²

Also called bouncing Bet, bouncing Bess.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for soapwort

Historical Examples of soapwort

Dr. Handel prescribes a warm fomentation with a decoction of soapwort.
The Natural History of Cage Birds
J. M. Bechstein
It was common wayside "Bouncing Bet," but the Harvester called it "soapwort."
The Harvester
Gene Stratton Porter
Next came carrying the couch grass, wild alum, and soapwort into the store-room.
The Harvester
Gene Stratton Porter
A handsome wild plant of this order is the Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis).
Everyday Objects
W. H. Davenport Adams
The Soapwort comes to us from Europe, where in some localities it is a common wild flower.
Birds and Nature Vol. 11 No. 2 [February 1902]
Various

British Dictionary definitions for soapwort

soapwort

noun

a Eurasian caryophyllaceous plant, Saponaria officinalis, having rounded clusters of fragrant pink or white flowers and leaves that were formerly used as a soap substituteAlso called: bouncing Bet

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