abronia

noun

abro·​nia
əˈbrōnēə
1
capitalized : a genus of herbs (family Nyctaginaceae) native to western North America having showy fragrant flowers in bracted heads and with the salver-shaped calyx having a 3-winged base see sand verbena
2
plural -s : any plant of the genus Abronia

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, from Greek habrós "graceful, delicate" + New Latin -onia (probably as in Paeonia peony and the names of other flowering plants)

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of abronia was in 1806

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Cite this Entry

“Abronia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abronia. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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