wisteria

[ wi-steer-ee-uh ]

noun
  1. any climbing shrub belonging to the genus Wisteria, of the legume family, having showy, pendent clusters of blue-violet, white, purple, or rose flowers.

Origin of wisteria

1
<New Latin Wistaria (1818), named after Caspar Wistar (1761–1818), U.S. anatomist; see -ia
  • Also wis·tar·i·a [wi-steer-ee-uh, -stair-]. /wɪˈstɪər i ə, -ˈstɛər-/.

Words Nearby wisteria

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use wisteria in a sentence

  • In a square box, smelling of sandalwood, was an exquisite kimono of palest pink crêpe, embroidered with wisteria blossoms.

    Glory of Youth | Temple Bailey
  • He taught us not to be so ignorant as to call them lilies, just as he taught us not to say 'wisteria.'

    The Open Question | Elizabeth Robins

British Dictionary definitions for wisteria

wisteria

/ (wɪˈstɪərɪə) /


noun
  1. any twining leguminous woody climbing plant of the genus Wisteria, of E Asia and North America, having blue, purple, or white flowers in large drooping clusters

Origin of wisteria

1
C19: from New Latin, named after Caspar Wistar (1761–1818), American anatomist

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