col·um·bine (k l  m-b n )n. Any of various perennial herbs of the genus Aquilegia native to north temperate regions, cultivated for their showy, variously colored flowers that have petals with long hollow spurs. Also called aquilegia. [Middle English, from Medieval Latin columb na, from feminine of Latin columbnus, dovelike (from the resemblance of the inverted flower to a cluster of doves), from columba, dove.] |
Columbine [ˈkɒləmˌbaɪn]
n
1. (Performing Arts / Theatre) (originally) the character of a servant girl in commedia dell'arte
2. (Performing Arts / Theatre) (later) the sweetheart of Harlequin in English pantomime
columbine1
n
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) any plant of the ranunculaceous genus Aquilegia, having purple, blue, yellow, or red flowers with five spurred petals Also called aquilegia
[from Medieval Latin columbīna herba dovelike plant, from Latin columbīnus dovelike, from the resemblance of the flower to a group of doves]
columbine2
adj
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) of, relating to, or resembling a dove
[from Old French colombin, from Latin columbīnus dovelike, from columba dove]
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  columbine - a plant of the genus Aquilegia having irregular showy spurred flowers; north temperate regions especially mountainsflower - a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms genus Aquilegia - columbine Aquilegia canadensis, meeting house, honeysuckle - columbine of eastern North America having long-spurred red flowers Aquilegia caerulea, Aquilegia scopulorum calcarea, blue columbine - columbine of the Rocky Mountains having long-spurred blue flowers Aquilegia vulgaris, granny's bonnets - common European columbine having variously colored (white or blue to purple or red) short-spurred flowers; naturalized in United States |
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