jack-in-the-pul·pit
(jăk′ĭn-thə-po͝ol′pĭt, -pŭl′-)n. pl. jack-in-the-pulpits
An eastern North American tuberous herb (Arisaema triphyllum) having three-lobed leaves and a striped, leaflike spathe that curls over an upright spadix. Also called regionally Indian turnip.
[From the resemblance of the inflorescence to a person standing in a pulpit.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
jack-in-the-pulpit
n
1. (Plants) an E North American aroid plant, Arisaema triphyllum, having a leaflike spathe partly arched over a clublike spadix
2. (Plants) Brit another name for cuckoopint
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
jack′-in-the-pul′pit
n., pl. -pul•pits.
any North American plant of the genus Arisaema, of the arum family, having an upright spadix arched over by a spathe.
[1840–50, Amer.]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
| Noun | 1. |  jack-in-the-pulpit - common American spring-flowering woodland herb having sheathing leaves and an upright club-shaped spadix with overarching green and purple spathe producing scarlet berriesaroid, arum - any plant of the family Araceae; have small flowers massed on a spadix surrounded by a large spathe Arisaema, genus Arisaema - tuberous or rhizomatous herbaceous perennials |
| 2. |  jack-in-the-pulpit - common European arum with lanceolate spathe and short purple spadix; emerges in early spring; source of a starch called arumaroid, arum - any plant of the family Araceae; have small flowers massed on a spadix surrounded by a large spathe genus Arum - type genus of the Araceae: tuberous perennial herbs of Europe and Asia with usually heart-shaped leaves arum - starch resembling sago that is obtained from cuckoopint root |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.