snapdragon Hear it!

snapdragon Definition

snap·dragon (-drag′ən)

noun

  1. any of a genus (Antirrhinum) of perennial plants of the figwort family, with showy white, yellow, red, or purplish flowers; esp., a common garden species (A. majus) with white, purple, crimson, etc., saclike, two-lipped, closed flowers

  2. Etymology: in allusion to a fire-breathing dragon

    Historical
    1. a game in which raisins or the like are snatched from a bowl of burning brandy
    2. that which is so snatched

Etymology: snap + dragon: from the mouth-shaped flowers

snapdragon Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • wild: Their major clues are coming from a peculiar natural phenomenon among wild Spanish snapdragons.

Modifies a noun

  • flower: Real pink snapdragon flowers are naturally cooler than purple ones, so to start with the fake flowers followed the same pattern.