pipsissewa

[ pip-sis-uh-wuh, -waw ]

noun

1. any evergreen plant of the genus Chimaphila, especially C. umbellata, the leaves of which are used medicinally for their tonic, diuretic, and astringent properties.

pipsissewa

/ pɪpˈsɪsəwə /

noun

1. any of several ericaceous plants of the Asian and American genus Chimaphila, having jagged evergreen leaves and white or pinkish flowers Also calledwintergreen

Word History and Origins

Origin of pipsissewa¹

1780–90, Americanism; perhaps < Eastern Abenaki kpi-pskwáhsawe literally, flower of the woods

Word History and Origins

Origin of pipsissewa¹

C19: from Cree pipisisikweu, literally: it breaks it into pieces, so called because it was believed to be efficacious in treating bladder stones

Example Sentences

A rich southern wood that once held mayapple and pipsissewa.

From Literature

He observed among the wild plants that she had gathered the mottled leaves and waxy blossoms of the pipsissewa and its cousin the shinleaf.

From Project Gutenberg

Some of its kin dwell in bogs and wet places, but this plant and the shin-leaf carpet drier woodland where dwarf cornels, partridge vines, pipsissewa, and goldthread weave their charming patterns too.

From Project Gutenberg

"You have been a long way to get some of those," he said: "that pipsissewa grows in hemlock woods, and the nearest are several miles from here."

From Project Gutenberg