cornflower

[ kawrn-flou-er ]

noun

1. Also called bachelor's-button, bluebottle. a European composite plant, Centaurea cyanus, growing in grainfields, having blue to white flower heads, often cultivated as an ornamental.
2. Also called cornflower blue. a deep, vivid blue.
3. corn cockle.
4. strawflower ( def 2 ).

cornflower

/ ˈkɔːnˌflaʊə /

noun

1. See bachelor's-buttons
   a Eurasian herbaceous plant, Centaurea cyanus, with blue, purple, pink, or white flowers, formerly a common weed in cornfields: family Asteraceae (composites) Also calledbluebottle See also bachelor's-buttons

Word History and Origins

Origin of cornflower¹

First recorded in 1570–80; corn ¹ + flower

Example Sentences

His eyes—as blue as ice, or cornflowers, or the Earth as viewed by astronauts, and previously alive to everything Madeleine might have done or said—simply close up shop.

From Time

With her broad, good-natured face and cornflower blue eyes she was a miniature Gretchen.

From Project Gutenberg

Centaurea (Cornflower), all shades of blue; three feet; blooms three months if kept cut.

From Project Gutenberg

Sofas covered in cornflower-blue velvet offered you a luxurious repose.

From Project Gutenberg

In the back part of the room an easy sofa covered with cornflower blue velvet invited one to rest.

From Project Gutenberg

In the farmhouse were only two young girls, the elder a charming golden-haired fairy with tender eyes of cornflower blue.

From Project Gutenberg