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periwinkle1 definition

peri·win·kle (per′ə wiŋ′kəl)

noun

any of a genus (Vinca) of trailing or erect, evergreen plants of the dogbane family; esp., a creeper (V. minor) with blue, white, or pink flowers, grown as a ground cover

Etymology: ME pervinke < OE peruince < L pervinca, periwinkle < pervincire, to entwine, bind < per- (see per) + vincire, to bind, fetter < IE base *weig-: see weak

periwinkle2 definition

peri·win·kle (per′ə wiŋ′kəl)

noun

  1. any of a family (Littorinidae) of small, intertidal saltwater snails having a thick, globular shell: some species are edible
  2. the shell of such a snail

Etymology: < OE pinewincle < L pina, mussel (< Gr) + OE -wincle, akin to Dan dial. vinkel, snail shell, OE winkel, corner < IE *weng-, to be curved > winch

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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