celandine

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Any plant of the genus Chelidonium.
  2. Either of two not closely related flowering plants
  3. Either of two not closely related flowering plants:
  4. Greater celandine (Chelidonium majus).
  5. Lesser celandine (Ficaria verna, formerly Ranunculus ficaria).

Pronunciation

/ˈsɛləndaɪn/

Word forms

celandine celandines

Etymology

From Middle English celidoine, Old French celidoine, French chélidoine, from Latin chelīdonia, from chelīdonius (“relating to the swallow”), from Ancient Greek χελιδόνιος (khelidónios), χελιδών (khelidṓn). It was traditionally supposed to flower when the swallows appeared, and to perish when they departed.

Synonyms

Derived words

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