snapdragon

[ snap-drag-uhn ]

noun

1. any plant belonging to the genus Antirrhinum, of the figwort family, especially A. majus, cultivated for its spikes of showy flowers, each having a corolla supposed to resemble the mouth of a dragon.
2. flapdragon.

snapdragon

/ ˈsnæpˌdræɡən /

noun

1. any of several scrophulariaceous chiefly Old World plants of the genus Antirrhinum, esp A. majus, of the Mediterranean region, having spikes of showy white, yellow, pink, red, or purplish flowers Also calledantirrhinum

Word History and Origins

Origin of snapdragon¹

First recorded in 1565–75; snap + dragon

Word History and Origins

Origin of snapdragon¹

C16: so named because the flowers, which are claimed to look like a dragon's head, have a ``mouth'' which snaps shut if squeezed open and then released

Example Sentences

To help tell this story, Bornstein suggests using graceful desert willow trees, which bloom profusely in the summer and are small enough to live in containers, and two perennial natives, Gran Canon Baja bush snapdragon and De La Mina verbena, that bloom almost year-round and do very well in pots.

From Los Angeles Times

In August, Qualcomm senior vice-president Don McGuire said there was no similar clause in its £60m-a-year front-of-shirt deal with United that has the Snapdragon logo on club match kit to 2027.

From BBC

To help tell this story, Bornstein suggests using graceful desert willow trees, which bloom profusely in the summer and are small enough to live in containers, and two perennial natives, Gran Canon Baja bush snapdragon and De La Mina verbena, that bloom almost year-round and do very well in pots.

From Los Angeles Times

This 18- to 20-inch-tall snapdragon features open-faced double flowers that start out in shades of orange and orange-red, transitioning to a dusty shade as they age.

From Seattle Times

The sides are vocal about “hating” each other, with the Reign owning the series at 7-1-2, including a semifinal win at Snapdragon Stadium last fall.

From Seattle Times