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Virginia creeper

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noun
  1. a climbing plant, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, of the grape family, native to North America, having palmate leaves, usually with five leaflets, and bluish-black berries.
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Origin of Virginia creeper

An Americanism dating back to 1660–70
Also called American ivy, ivy vine.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for virginia creeper

Historical Examples

  • At that season the delicate flame of the Virginia-creeper was a prominent tint on the walls all round the lake.

    A Little Swiss Sojourn

    W. D. Howells

  • There shall nothing grow in it but lilies and roses, and the cottage we will cover all over with Virginia-creeper.

    Evergreens

    Jerome K. Jerome

  • Setting his teeth determinedly, Ralph Wonderson swarmed up the Virginia-creeper until he reached the closely-shuttered window.

  • The bit of Virginia-creeper planted under the window hung shriveled upon its trellis.

  • It feeds on vine (Vitis vinifera) and yellow bedstraw (Galium verum); also on fuchsia and virginia-creeper (Ampelopsis).

British Dictionary definitions for virginia creeper

Virginia creeper

noun
  1. Also called (US): American ivy, woodbine a vitaceous woody vine, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, of North America, having tendrils with adhesive tips, bluish-black berry-like fruits, and compound leaves that turn red in autumn: widely planted for ornament
  2. Also called: Japanese ivy a similar related plant, Parthenocissus tricuspidata, of SE Asia, having trilobed leaves and purple berriesUS name: Boston ivy
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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