Definition

Noun: 1. A Eurasian herb with ample panicles of small white flowers; naturalized in North America: This term refers to a specific flowering plant, Gypsophila muralis, known for its delicate, cloud-like clusters of tiny white blossoms.

Usage

• The term infant's-breath is used specifically as the common name for this plant species. It is a compound noun where the possessive form "infant's" modifies "breath" to create a poetic name describing the plant's appearance.
• It is typically used in botanical, horticultural, or descriptive contexts.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The field was dotted with the delicate white blooms of infant's-breath.
  • She added a few sprigs of infant's-breath to the rose bouquet for a softer look.

Advanced Usage

• The name is often used in similes or metaphors to describe something very delicate, light, or airy due to the plant's fine, wispy flowers.
  • Her voice was as soft as infant's-breath.

Variants and Related Words

• Baby's-breath: A more common variant name for plants in the genus, particularly , which is widely used in floral arrangements. While "infant's-breath" and "baby's-breath" are often used interchangeably for similar plants, "infant's-breath" () is a low-growing annual, whereas "baby's-breath" () is typically a taller perennial.

Synonyms

• Gypsophila: The scientific genus name for this group of plants.
• Gyp (informal, among florists): A shortened, informal term.

Notes on Meaning

• This word has a single, specific botanical meaning. It does not have idiomatic meanings or phrasal verbs associated with it, as it is a fixed compound noun naming a particular entity.

Noun

1. Eurasian herb with ample panicles of small white flowers; naturalized in North America