sowbread

[ sou-bred ]

noun

1. any of several species of cyclamen, especially Cyclamen hederifolium, a low-growing Old World plant having mottled leaves and pink or white flowers.

sowbread

/ ˈsaʊˌbrɛd /

noun

1. a S European primulaceous plant, Cyclamen hederifolium, with heart-shaped leaves and pink nodding flowers See also cyclamen

Word History and Origins

Origin of sowbread¹

1540–50; sow ² + bread; so called because the roots are sought after by hogs

Word History and Origins

Origin of sowbread¹

C16: from sow ² + bread , based on Medieval Latin panis porcinus; the tuberous roots are eaten by swine