wallflower

wall·flow·er  (wôlflour)

n.

1.

a. Any of numerous herbs of the genus Erysimum of the mustard family, having fragrant yellow, orange, or brownish flowers.

b. Any of several perennial herbs of the genus Cheiranthus, especially C. cheiri.

2. One who does not participate in the activity at a social event because of shyness or unpopularity.

3. A security, company, or industry that is out of favor with investors.

Word History: The sweet-smelling flowers of Cheiranthus cheiri came to be called wallflowers because they often grow on old walls, rocks, and quarries. The plant name is first recorded in 1578. It is not known who first made the comparison between these delicate flowers and the unpartnered women sitting along the wall at a dance, but the figurative sense is first found in an 1820 work by Mrs. Campbell Praed entitled County Ball. Although originally used to describe women at dances, the word is now applied to men as well and used in situations remote from a ballroom.

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wallflower [ˈwɔːlˌflaʊə]

n

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) Also called gillyflower a plant, Cheiranthus cheiri, of S Europe, grown for its clusters of yellow, orange, brown, red, or purple fragrant flowers and naturalized on old walls, cliffs, etc.: family Brassicaceae (crucifers)

2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) any of numerous other crucifers of the genera Cheiranthus and Erysimum, having orange or yellow flowers

3. Informal a person who stays on the fringes of a dance or party on account of lacking a partner or being shy

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	wallflower - any of numerous plants of the genus Erysimum having fragrant yellow or orange or brownish flowers flower - a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms Erysimum, genus Erysimum - large genus of annual or perennial herbs some grown for their flowers and some for their attractive evergreen leaves; Old World and North America Cheiranthus allionii, Erysimum allionii, Siberian wall flower - showy erect biennial or short-lived perennial cultivated for its terminal racemes of orange-yellow flowers; sometimes placed in genus Cheiranthus
	2.	wallflower - perennial of southern Europe having clusters of fragrant flowers of all colors especially yellow and orange; often naturalized on old walls or cliffs; sometimes placed in genus Erysimum Cheiranthus cheiri, Erysimum cheiri flower - a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms Cheiranthus, genus Cheiranthus - Old World perennial plants grown for their showy flowers
	3.	wallflower - remains on sidelines at social event shrinking violet, shy person - someone who shrinks from familiarity with others

Translations

wallflower [ˈwɔːlˌflaʊəʳ] N → alhelí m
to be a wallflower → comer pavo, ser la fea del baile

wallflower [ˈwɔːlflaʊə^r] n

(= plant) → giroflée f

to be a wallflower (at dance, social event) → faire tapisserie
wall hanging n → tenture f (murale), tapisserie f
wall-mounted [ˌwɔːlˈmaʊntɪd] adj → mural(e)

wallflower [ˈwɔːlˌflaʊəʳ] n → violaciocca (gialla) (fig) to be a wallflower → fare (da) tappezzeria