hothouse

[ hot-hous ]

noun

, plural hot·hous·es [hot, -hou-ziz].

1. an artificially heated greenhouse for the cultivation of tender plants.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or noting a plant grown in a hothouse, or so fragile as to be capable of being grown only in a hothouse.
2. overprotected, artificial, or unnaturally delicate.

hothouse

/ ˈhɒtˌhaʊs /

noun

1. 1. a greenhouse in which the temperature is maintained at a fixed level above that of the surroundings
   2. ( as modifier )

      a hothouse plant

2. 1. an environment that encourages rapid development
   2. ( as modifier )

      a hot-house atmosphere

3. an environment where there is great pressure

   showjumping is a tough, hothouse world

4. informal.
   modifier sensitive or delicate

   a hothouse temperament

Word History and Origins

Origin of hothouse¹

First recorded in 1505–15; hot + house

Example Sentences

That pressure is very often from players and managers in the fierce hothouse of elite-level football, trickling right down to the grassroots.

From BBC

When they bring these cases, they have the Federalist Society doing the research and creating the sort of legal hothouse theories that make up the amicus briefs that they also fund.

From Salon

Many who follow the sport would agree that few coaches last long in those overpriced hothouse environments.

From Salon

Conservatives have also mastered the intricacies of circuit-shopping, the dark art of placing the nuttiest legal theories cooked up in Federalist Society hothouses before the most rabidly ideological judges.

From Salon

“Honeydew” is one of those episodes of “The Bear” that zooms in on a specific character and lets the viewer relax a little outside the hothouse confines of kitchen chaos.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• back yard
• bed
• field
• greenhouse
• nursery
• patio
• terrace