wake-robin

[ weyk-rob-in ]

noun

1. the cuckoopint.
2. any of various plants belonging to the genus Trillium, native to eastern North America, of the lily family, as T. erectum, having rank-smelling purple, yellow, or white flowers.

wake-robin

noun

1. any of various North American herbaceous plants of the genus Trillium, such as T. grandiflorum, having a whorl of three leaves and three-petalled solitary flowers: family Trilliaceae
2. any of various aroid plants, esp the cuckoopint

Word History and Origins

Origin of wake-robin¹

First recorded in 1520–30

Example Sentences

John Burroughs's "Wake Robin" deals not with robins alone, but with birds and bird habits in general.

From Project Gutenberg

Here he came upon evidences of a meal which the rival had made upon wake-robin roots.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. John Burroughs says his sign is the wake-robin, or trillium.

From Project Gutenberg

It was published in 1867, preceding "Wake-Robin" by four years.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Burroughs, in Wake-Robin, mentions having found two nests, and gives us to understand that he saw only the female birds.

From Project Gutenberg