touch-me-not

American  

[tuhch-mee-not] / ˈtʌtʃ miˌnɒt /

noun

1. any of several plants belonging to the genus Impatiens, of the balsam family, especially I. noli-tangere, bearing pods that, when ripe, burst on being touched, scattering the seeds.

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touch-me-not British  

noun

1. Also called: noli-me-tangere.  any of several balsaminaceous plants of the genus Impatiens, esp I. noli-me-tangere, having yellow spurred flowers and seed pods that burst open at a touch when ripe

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Etymology

Origin of touch-me-not

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

In Treegap, the same moonlight silvered the roof of the touch-me-not cottage, but inside, the lamps were burning.

From Literature

These plants present the most remarkable blending of the rigid, uncompromising, touch-me-not aspect and the ethereal and fragile.

From Project Gutenberg

The lights falling on their faces threw up a singular likeness in expression, a kind of touch-me-not attitude that defied their physical juxtaposition.

From Project Gutenberg

Everyone knows the garden plant touch-me-not, so called from the curious irritability of its pods, which writhe in an uncanny way when we gather them. 

From Project Gutenberg

"It is a sort of self-satisfied, touch-me-not happiness, with a better-than-you-are smirk about it."

From Project Gutenberg