touch-me-not

[ tuhch-mee-not ]

noun

1. any of several plants belonging to the genus Impatiens, of the balsam family, especially I. noli-tangere, bearing pods that, when ripe, burst on being touched, scattering the seeds.

touch-me-not

noun

1. any of several balsaminaceous plants of the genus Impatiens, esp I. noli-me-tangere, having yellow spurred flowers and seed pods that burst open at a touch when ripe Also callednoli-me-tangere

Word History and Origins

Origin of touch-me-not¹

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

I forgot you had grown up into a young woman; another word for touch-me-not—ha!

From Project Gutenberg

In the twilight, we now and then, to support ourselves, snatched at the touch-me-not stem of some ancient sweet-brier.

From Project Gutenberg

She'll be fretting, and the mother pouting, and the councillor in ane o' his particular Dutch touch-me-not tempers.

From Project Gutenberg

Name from the sudden bursting of the pods when touched, whence also the popular appellation, Touch-me-not, or Snap-weed.

From Project Gutenberg

Examples—violet, jewel-weed (touch-me-not), sweet-pea, witch-hazel.

From Project Gutenberg