speedwell

[speed-wel]

noun

any of several plants, shrubs, or small trees of the genus Veronica, of the figwort family, having opposite leaves and small flowers.

Nearby words

Origin of speedwell

1570–80; speed + well¹; so called because its petals fade and fall early

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

Examples from the Web for speedwell

Then began a fierce fight on Speedwell's part to settle it on an even keel.
The Girl Aviators' Motor Butterfly|Margaret Burnham
My dear Sara,—I am waiting here with great anxiety for the arrival of the Speedwell.
Letters of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Vol. II (of 2)|Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Frank accordingly turned the Speedwell's head toward the island, and just at that moment the sail-boat came in sight.
Frank, the Young Naturalist|Harry Castlemon
Mr. Speedwell had been for some time in the cottage, and he was now waiting to see her down stairs.
Man and Wife|Wilkie Collins

He was a son of Stephen Vail, the wealthy owner of the Speedwell iron works.
Great Inventions and Discoveries|Willis Duff Piercy

British Dictionary definitions for speedwell

speedwell

noun

any of various temperate scrophulariaceous plants of the genus Veronica, such as V. officinalis (heath speedwell) and V. chamaedrys (germander speedwell), having small blue or pinkish white flowers

Word Origin for speedwell

C16: from speed + well 1

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