Definition

Noun: 1. A flowering plant: A plant belonging to the genus Mirabilis, known for its trumpet-shaped flowers that typically open in the late afternoon, around four o'clock, and often remain open through the night.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The sweet fragrance of the four o'clock filled the evening garden.
  • She planted four o'clocks along the fence because they bloom in the shade.
  • This particular four o'clock has vibrant yellow flowers.

Advanced Usage

• The name "four o'clock" is used attributively to describe characteristics of the plant.
  • We admired the four o'clock flowers.
• The term can be used metaphorically to describe something that reliably appears or occurs in the late afternoon.
  • His afternoon fatigue was as predictable as a four o'clock bloom. (Figurative use)

Variants and Related Words

• Marvel of Peru: A common name for , a popular species of four o'clock.
• Umbrellawort: Another common name for some plants in the genus.

Synonyms

• Mirabilis (scientific genus name)
• Marvel of Peru (for )

Notes on Different Meanings

• The term "four o'clock" (often written as 4 o'clock) primarily refers to a time of day (4:00). The plant is named for the characteristic time its flowers open.
• When referring to the plant, it is typically written as a single word (four o'clock) or hyphenated (four-o'clock), distinguishing it from the time reference.

Noun

1. any of several plants of the genus Mirabilis having flowers that open in late afternoon