primrose

¹

[ prim-rohz ]

noun

1. any plant of the genus Primula, as P. vulgaris English primrose, of Europe, having yellow flowers, or P. sinensis Chinese primrose, of China, having flowers in a variety of colors. Compare primrose family.
2. evening primrose.
3. pale yellow.

adjective

1. of or relating to the primrose.
2. Also primrosed. abounding in primroses:

   a primrose garden.

3. of a pale yellow.

Primrose

²

[ prim-rohz ]

noun

1. Archibald Philip, 5th Earl of Rosebery. Rosebery, Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th Earl of.

primrose

/ ˈprɪmˌrəʊz /

noun

1. any of various temperate primulaceous plants of the genus Primula, esp P. vulgaris of Europe, which has pale yellow flowers
2. short for evening primrose
3. Also calledprimrose yellow a light to moderate yellow, sometimes with a greenish tinge

adjective

1. of, relating to, or abounding in primroses
2. of the colour primrose
3. pleasant or gay

Word History and Origins

Origin of primrose¹

1375–1425; late Middle English primerose < Medieval Latin prīma rosa first rose

Word History and Origins

Origin of primrose¹

C15: from Old French primerose, from Medieval Latin prīma rosa first rose

Example Sentences

She began adding Cleveland sage, white sage, evening primrose, yellow lupine and other native plants in earnest, removing dead or poor-performing non-natives.

From Los Angeles Times

Sand verbena, desert sunflowers and desert primrose recently dazzled onlookers along Henderson Canyon Road in Borrego Springs, an area famed for wildflowers in San Diego County.

From Los Angeles Times

The desert sunflowers, purple sand verbena and white dune evening primrose were spectacular.

From Los Angeles Times

At field sites in eastern Washington, the researchers collected scent samples from pale evening primrose flowers.

From Science Daily

Compounds called nitrate radicals, which can be abundant in nighttime urban air, severely degrade the scent emitted by the pale evening primrose, reducing visits from pollinating hawk moths, researchers reported in Science on Thursday.

From New York Times

Related Words

• lush
• sensual
• voluptuous