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silene

British  
/ saɪˈliːnɪ /

noun

  1. any plant of the large perennial genus Silene, with mostly red or pink flowers; many, esp S. or Agrostemma coeli-rosa, are grown as garden plants: family Carophyllaceae See also campion

"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

Etymology

Origin of silene

New Latin from Latin silenus viscaria

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It was raised by Francis Morat, of Louisville, Ky., four years ago; it is also a "sport," and from the old B. silene.

From Prairie Farmer, Vol. 56: No. 12, March 22, 1884 A Weekly Journal for the Farm, Orchard and Fireside by Various

At the extreme ends were round pieces of bon silene roses and lilies of the valley.

From Perley's Reminiscences, v. 1-2 of Sixty Years in the National Metropolis by Poore, Benjamin Perley

Here the silene rears high its head with fringed corolla of scarlet; and there the wild gooseberry dazzles the eye with a perfect shower of tubular flowers of the same bright color.

From Our Italy by Warner, Charles Dudley

The Oporto silene is ringed with bands of gum.

From More Hunting Wasps by Teixeira de Mattos, Alexander

He hastily gave her a hybrid plant which his eagle eye had discerned among the growth of silene acaulis and saxifrage, a real miracle developed under the breath of angels.

From The Works of Honor? de Balzac About Catherine de' Medici, Seraphita and Other Stories by Balzac, Honor? de