geranium

ge·ra·ni·um

noun \jə-ˈrā-nē-əm, -nyəm\

Definition of GERANIUM

1

: any of a widely distributed genus (Geranium of the family Geraniaceae, the geranium family) of plants having regular usually white, pink, or purple flowers with elongated styles and glands that alternate with the petals —called also cranesbill

2

: pelargonium

3

: a vivid or strong red

Origin of GERANIUM

New Latin, from Latin, geranium, from Greek geranion, from diminutive of geranos crane — more at crane

First Known Use: 1548

Rhymes with GERANIUM

germanium, titanium, uranium

geranium

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Hybrid geranium (Pelargonium hortorum).—John H. Gerard

Any of the approximately 300 species of perennial herbaceous plants or shrubs that make up the genus Geranium (family Geraniaceae), native mostly to subtropical southern Africa. They are among the most popular bedding and greenhouse plants. The closely related genus Pelargonium contains some 280 species of annual, biennial, and perennial herbaceous plants also commonly called geraniums. The showy, or Martha Washington, geraniums (P. x domesticum) have large pansylike flowers, few to the cluster. Some geraniums are grown as basket plants indoors and out; they are also used as ground covers in warm areas. Some species have fragrant leaves. Geranium oil smells like roses and is used chiefly in perfumes, soaps, and ointments.