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columbine
(käl′əm bīn′, -bin′)
noun
any of a genus (Aquilegia) of plants of the buttercup family, with dainty, spurred flowers of various colors
Origin: 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
noun
daughter of Pantaloon and sweetheart of Harlequin: a stock character in early pantomime
Origin: It Colombina < L columbina, fem. of columbinus, dovelike: see columbarium
See columbine in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
Any of various perennial herbs of the genus Aquilegia native to north temperate regions, cultivated for their showy, variously colored flowers that have petals with long hollow spurs. Also called aquilegia.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English
Origin: , from Medieval Latin columbīna
Origin: , from feminine of Latin columbīnus, dovelike (from the resemblance of the inverted flower to a cluster of doves)
Origin: , from columba, dove
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