primrose Hear it!

primrose Definition

prim·rose (prim′rōz′)

noun

  1. any of a genus (Primula) of plants of the primrose family, having variously colored, tubelike corollas with five spreading lobes
  2. the flower of any of these plants
  3. the light yellow of some primroses
  4. any of various other plants, as the evening primrose

Etymology: ME primerose < MFr, altered (infl. by rose, rose) < OFr primerole, primrose < ML primula, flower, daisy, primrose < L primus, first: see prime

adjective

  1. of the primrose
  2. light-yellow
  3. designating a family (Primulaceae, order Primulales) of dicotyledonous plants principally in the Northern Hemisphere, with flowers in clusters on a leafless stem, including loosestrife and cyclamen
primrose Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • include: Certain essential oils are good but oils to be avoided include evening primrose, rosemary, hyssop, sweet fennel and sage.
  • see: That was the first time I'd ever seen primroses.
  • contain: From here I wandered down the valley and into some steep and astonishingly beautiful woods that contained more primroses than I have ever seen.
  • plant: On a more somber note, Victorians used to plant Primroses on the graves of small children ( Flora Britannica by Richard Mabey ).
  • have: The toilets had primrose yellow furnishings with matching plastic panels.

Preposition: in

  • flower: Then - in a sheltered hollow just above the water - a bank of primroses in full flower.

Adjective modifier

  • bird's-eye: Bird's-eye primrose This small member of the primrose family is often at its best in early June.
  • pale: I bought it as pale primrose in 1989 and used it as a hack to keep my B GT fresh for the shows.
  • yellow: Look out for the majestic buzzard soaring overhead, and the pale yellow primrose underfoot.
  • wild: The mild weather has encouraged the first wild Primroses to show against a background of Gorse in full bloom.
  • native: Primrose Product information This charming native primrose is one of the first spring flowers.
  • Scottish: The nationally scarce endemic Scottish primrose Primula scotica is also present.

Modifies a noun

  • oil: Fish oils or evening primrose oil capsules may help improve a dry coat.
  • supplement: The evening primrose oil supplements reduce elevated total cholesterol levels found in many diabetics.
  • flower: Celtic lore says rubbing primrose flowers over your eyelids can gie you a way into the fairy word.
  • yellow: The roof however was painted a really practical primrose yellow!
  • path: The logical steps along the primrose path are easy to follow.
  • line: The solution recommended by those present was the installation of primrose lines.

Noun used with modifier

  • evening: The blend is finished with evening primrose which has been added for its positive effect on the skin.
  • eye: Some plants, such as the once prolific bird's eye primrose, have gone for ever.
primrose Quotes

Bring the rathe primrose that forsaken dies, The tufted crow-toe, and pale gessamine, The white pink, and the pansy freaked with jet, The glowing violet, The musk-rose, and the well attir'd woodbine, With cowslips wan that hang the pensive head, And every flower that sad embroidery wears: Bid amaranthus all his beauty shed, And daffadillies fill their cups with tears, To strew the laureate hearse where Lycid lies.

—Milton,John