virgin's-bower

American  

[vur-jinz-bou-er] / ˈvɜr dʒɪnzˈbaʊ ər /

1. a climbing vine, Clematis virginiana, of eastern North America, having branching clusters of small, white flowers and seed pods with silky, grayish plumes.

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virgin's-bower British  

noun

1. any of several American clematis plants, esp Clematis virginiana, of E North America, which has clusters of small white flowers

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Etymology

Origin of virgin's-bower

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

From the higher branches of the alders that shut out the sky with their dainty, silvery-green leaves, hung--with many a graceful loop and knot--ropes of wild grape-vine and curtains of virgin's-bower.

From The Eyes of the World by Wright, Harold Bell

Lifting her eyes, as he pointed, she saw two butterflies--it might almost have been the same two--with zigzag flight, through the opening in the draperies of virgin's-bower.

From The Eyes of the World by Wright, Harold Bell

Come! roses blow: sweet flower Will snow the virgin's-bower: The shaded lane, the woodland wild, Are better both for man and child.

From Songs of Womanhood by Alma-Tadema, Laurence

Through the screen of alder and grape and willow and virgin's-bower the sunlight fell, as through the delicate traceries of a cathedral window.

From The Eyes of the World by Wright, Harold Bell

Thence she traced them with intent listening, though she could not hear what they said, to the trellis over the garden gate, now richly hung with the mauve beauty and sweetness of the virgin's-bower.

From Oldfield A Kentucky Tale of the Last Century by Banks, Nancy Huston