cat's-ear
Học thuậtThân thiện
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
- European weed widely naturalized in North America having yellow flower heads and leaves resembling a cat's ears
- any of several plants of the genus Calochortus having flowers with petals shaped like cat's ears