cowslip
/'kauslip/
Definition
- Noun:
- A perennial herbaceous plant (Primula veris) native to Europe and Western Asia: A flowering plant of the primrose family, typically having clusters of fragrant, nodding yellow flowers with orange spots in the center, often found in meadows and pastures.
- A North American marsh marigold (Caltha palustris): A plant of the buttercup family, also called "cowslip" or "marsh marigold," which grows in wet areas and has bright yellow, cup-shaped flowers.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The meadow was dotted with the cheerful yellow blooms of the cowslip.
- She picked a small bouquet of fragrant cowslips from the field.
- In the swampy area, we saw the North American cowslip, also known as the marsh marigold.
Advanced Usage
- "To be as welcome as cowslips in spring": An expression meaning to be very welcome or delightful, drawing on the flower's association with the joy of spring.
- Your visit was as welcome as cowslips in spring.
Variants and Related Words
- Primrose (Primula vulgaris): A closely related plant in the same genus, often with pale yellow flowers. While similar, primroses typically have solitary flowers and bloom earlier on shorter stems.
- Oxlip (Primula elatior): Another related species, a natural hybrid between the cowslip and primrose, with pale yellow flowers in a one-sided cluster.
- Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris): The primary name for the North American plant also called "cowslip."
Synonyms
- Primula veris (Scientific/Botanical name for the European cowslip).
- Paigle (An archaic or dialectal English name for the cowslip).
- Herb Peter (A folk name for the cowslip).
- Key Flower (A folk name, related to the legend that the flower is the key to heaven).
Related Phrases
- "A posy of cowslips": A small bunch of these flowers.
- The child brought her mother a posy of cowslips.
Related Idioms
- "No more than a cowslip": An old expression suggesting something is common, humble, or of little value, though often used affectionately.
- He dismissed the gift as no more than a cowslip, but she cherished it.
Noun
-
swamp plant of Europe and North America having bright yellow flowers resembling buttercups
-
early spring flower common in British isles having fragrant yellow or sometimes purple flowers
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