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columbine Definition

col·um·bine (käl′əm bīn′, -bin′)

noun

any of a genus (Aquilegia) of plants of the buttercup family, with dainty, spurred flowers of various colors

Etymology: ME & OFr < ML columbina < L columbinus, dovelike (see columbarium): the flower is thought to resemble a flock of doves

adjective

Rare of or like a dove
Columbine Definition

Col·um·bine (käl′əm bīn′)

noun

daughter of Pantaloon and sweetheart of Harlequin: a stock character in early pantomime

Etymology: It Colombina < L columbina, fem. of columbinus, dovelike: see columbarium

columbine Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • wild: Wild columbine, early and northern marsh orchid, grass of Parnassus and fragrant orchid grown in similar situations.
columbine Quotes

Bring hither the pink and purple columbine, With gillyflowers: Bring coronation, and sops in wine, Worn of paramours. Strew me the ground with daffadowndillies, And cowslips, and kingcups, and loved lilies.

—Spenser, Edmund

Browse dictionary entries near columbine

  1. ‹ Columbian
  2. ‹ Columbia
  3. ‹ columbarium
  4. ‹ columbaria
  5. ‹ Columba
  6. ‹ Colum
  7. ‹ colugo
  8. ‹ colubrine
  9. ‹ colubrid
  10. ‹ coltsfoots
  1. columbite ›
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