closed gentian

noun

1. a gentian, Gentiana andrewsii, of the eastern and central U.S., having tight clusters of dark blue, closed flowers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of closed gentian¹

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60

Example Sentences

Its blue is less mysterious and deep than the closed gentian’s, and yet how many name it the cup of autumn delight!

From Project Gutenberg

Her own beauty was kept trimly neat, like a closed gentian.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a story of the closed gentian, the title of which she announced, as she always did, loudly, and with an amusing little air of self-satisfaction.

From Project Gutenberg

The closed gentian comes at the same time, and the blue and purple asters are in all their glory.

From Project Gutenberg

At last she came with a handful of late-blooming closed gentians.

From Project Gutenberg