primula

[ prim-yuh-luh ]

noun

primrose (def. 1).

Origin of primula

1745–55; <Medieval Latin prīmula, short for prīmula vēris, literally, first (flower) of spring. See prime, -ule

Words Nearby primula

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use primula in a sentence

primula, prim′ū-la, n. the genus of plants to which the primrose belongs.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) | Various
The cowslip primrose (primula veris) is also a native of England.
Birds and all Nature Vol VII, No. 3, March 1900 | Various
If you can remember it, thank Bentham for getting my primula paper printed so quickly.
More Letters of Charles Darwin Volume II | Charles Darwin
Have any of the forms of primula, which are non-dimorphic, been propagated for some little time by seed in garden?
More Letters of Charles Darwin Volume II | Charles Darwin
Perhaps I have blundered about primula; but certainly not about mere protrusion of pollen-tubes.
More Letters of Charles Darwin Volume II | Charles Darwin

British Dictionary definitions for primula

primula

/ (ˈprɪmjʊlə) /

noun

any primulaceous plant of the N temperate genus Primula, having white, yellow, pink, or purple funnel-shaped flowers with five spreading petals: includes the primrose, oxlip, cowslip, and polyanthus

Origin of primula

C18: New Latin, from Medieval Latin prīmula (vēris) little first one (of the spring)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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