virgin's-bower

[ vur-jinz-bou-er ]

1. a climbing vine, Clematis virginiana, of eastern North America, having branching clusters of small, white flowers and seed pods with silky, grayish plumes.

virgin's-bower

noun

1. any of several American clematis plants, esp Clematis virginiana, of E North America, which has clusters of small white flowers

Word History and Origins

Origin of virgin's-bower¹

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

How lovely is my Virgin's-bower when growing on brick; how Hollyhocks stand up beside it.

From Project Gutenberg

When Mrs. Margaret Deland asked if we had Alleghany Vine in our garden, I told her I had never seen it, when all the while it was our own dear Virgin's-bower.

From Project Gutenberg

This, too, had pretty compound leaves, and the whole vine, like our Virgin's-bower, lay lightly on what it covered; but the Dutchman's-pipe had a leafage too heavy save to make a thick screen or arch quickly and solidly.

From Project Gutenberg

Trav′eller, one who travels: a wayfarer: one who travels for a mercantile house: a ring that slides along a rope or spar; Trav′eller's-joy, the virgin's-bower, Clematis Vitalba; Trav′eller's-tale, a story that cannot be accepted, a tall story, an astounding lie, a whopper; Trav′eller's-tree, a remarkable Madagascar tree, its stem resembling a plantain, but sending out leaves only on two opposite sides, like a great expanded fan.—adj.

From Project Gutenberg

Come! roses blow: sweet flower Will snow the virgin's-bower: The shaded lane, the woodland wild, Are better both for man and child.

From Project Gutenberg