Definition

Noun: 1. A common European weed (Hypochaeris radicata) that is widely naturalized in North America. It is characterized by its yellow, dandelion-like flower heads and its basal leaves, which are hairy and resemble the ears of a cat. 2. Any of several bulbous perennial plants belonging to the genus Calochortus (also known as mariposa lilies or globe tulips), noted for their showy flowers whose petals often have a distinctive, furry, or ear-like shape.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Sense 1):
  • The lawn was dotted with the yellow blooms of cat's-ear.
  • It's important to distinguish cat's-ear from true dandelions when foraging.
• Noun (Sense 2):
  • The cat's-ear is one of the most beautiful and delicate wildflowers in the western meadows.
  • We saw a patch of cat's-ear blooming on the hillside.

Advanced Usage

• As a common name: "Cat's-ear" is primarily used as a common name for specific plants and is not typically used in figurative or idiomatic expressions. Its usage is almost entirely botanical.
• In compound form: When referring specifically to the weed, it is sometimes called "hairy cat's-ear" or "spotted cat's-ear" for added clarity.

Variants and Related Words

• Hairy cat's-ear: Another common name for , emphasizing the leaf texture.
• Calochortus: The botanical genus name for the lily-like plants, some of which are called cat's-ear.

Synonyms

• For Sense 1 (Hypochaeris radicata): Flatweed, false dandelion, frogbit.
• For Sense 2 (Calochortus species): Mariposa lily, globe tulip, butterfly tulip.

Related Phrases

• None: As a specific botanical noun, "cat's-ear" does not form standard phrasal verbs or common prepositional phrases.

Related Idioms

• None: There are no common idioms that use the term "cat's-ear."

Noun

1. European weed widely naturalized in North America having yellow flower heads and leaves resembling a cat's ears
2. any of several plants of the genus Calochortus having flowers with petals shaped like cat's ears