polyanthus

American  

[pol-ee-an-thuhs] / ˌpɒl iˈæn θəs /

noun

plural

polyanthuses

1. a hybrid primrose, Primula polyantha.

2. Also called polyanthus narcissus.  a narcissus, Narcissus tazetta, having small white or yellow flowers.

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polyanthus British  

/ ˌpɒlɪˈænθəs /

noun

1. any of several hybrid garden primroses, esp Primula polyantha, which has brightly coloured flowers

2. a Eurasian amaryllidaceous plant, Narcissus tazetta, having clusters of small yellow or white fragrant flowers

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Etymology

Origin of polyanthus

1620–30; < New Latin < Greek polýanthos having many flowers. See poly-, -anthous

Example Sentences

My L. has seen a polyanthus blow in December?—Some friendly wall has sheltered it from the biting wind—no planetary influence shall reach us, but that which presides and cherishes the sweetest flowers.

From Henry Esmond; The English Humourists; The Four Georges by Saintsbury, George

Fill the beds with polyanthus, wallflower, forget-me-not and other early flowers.

From Small Gardens and How to Make the Most of Them by Biddle, Violet Purton

And the little bushes of polyanthus gemmed the dark earth between with their varied hues.

From Ranald Bannerman's Boyhood by MacDonald, George

As to my private cabinet, let it be colored light blue, with a border of ranunculus and polyanthus.

From Josephine Makers of History by Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot)

Honora had the breakfast table covered with flowers, primroses, violets, polyanthus, and laurustinus, and some of Sophy's own snowdrops, double and single, which obligingly lingered on purpose to celebrate the day.

From The Life and Letters of Maria Edgeworth, Volume 2 by Hare, Augustus J. C.