columbine

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noun col·um·bine \ ˈkä-ləm-ˌbīn \

Definition of columbine

:any of a genus (Aquilegia) of plants of the buttercup family with irregular showy spurred flowers: such as

a :a red-flowered plant (A. canadensis) of eastern North America

b :a blue-flowered plant (A. caerulea) of the Rocky Mountains

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Recent Examples of columbine from the Web

Sandy O'Brien, a member of the Friends of Fred Rose Park, said most of the flowers planted at the Fred Rose Lakeshore Park live in the park, including wild columbine.

— karen caffarini, Post-Tribune, "'Adopting' parks puts blooms in Hobart," 21 July 2017
Those columbines grew vigorously on the east side of their house, showing their approval of this sun orientation.

— margaret lauterbach, idahostatesman, "Start perennials from seed now and save on your gardening costs," 5 July 2017
This includes classics like quaking aspen, yarrow, big sagebrush, columbine and milkweed.

— anna webb, idahostatesman, "Milkweed, cacti, foul-smelling voodoo lilies: Visit a small — but intense — Boise garden," 23 June 2017
In pastel pinks and purples, an enchanting mix of columbines, lupines and foxgloves bloom in pockets of sun underneath Japanese maples.

— debbie arrington, sacbee.com, "How to live (peacefully) with deer in a mountain oasis," 2 June 2017
The sale will include about 45 different plant species, including wild columbine, wild geranium, butterfly milkweed, blazing stars and purple prairie clover, the school district said.

— jennifer johnson, chicagotribune.com, "Park Ridge Farmers Market, outdoor pools open Memorial Day weekend," 23 May 2017
Sun: Partial to shade Soil moisture: Average to dry Height: One to two-and-a-half feet Deer resistant: Yes Comments: Columbines will readily multiply once established.

— cleveland.com, "See 25 native Ohio perennials for your garden: vibrant color and deer-resistant!," 16 May 2017
Sun: Partial to shade Soil moisture: Average to dry Height: One to two-and-a-half feet Deer resistant: Yes Comments: Columbines will readily multiply once established.

— cleveland.com, "See 25 native Ohio perennials for your garden: vibrant color and deer-resistant!," 16 May 2017
At this time of year, Jack-in-the pulpit and columbine bloom on the forest floor.

— USA TODAY, "Rare wildflower blooms in only one place on Earth – New Jersey," 12 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'columbine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of columbine

Origin and Etymology of columbine

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin columbina, from Latin, feminine of columbinus like a dove, from columba dove; akin to Old High German holuntar elder tree, Greek kolymbos a small grebe, kelainos black

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Columbine

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noun Col·um·bine \ ˈkä-ləm-ˌbīn , -ˌbēn \

Definition of Columbine

:the saucy sweetheart of Harlequin in comedy and pantomime

Recent Examples of columbine from the Web

Sandy O'Brien, a member of the Friends of Fred Rose Park, said most of the flowers planted at the Fred Rose Lakeshore Park live in the park, including wild columbine.

— karen caffarini, Post-Tribune, "'Adopting' parks puts blooms in Hobart," 21 July 2017
Those columbines grew vigorously on the east side of their house, showing their approval of this sun orientation.

— margaret lauterbach, idahostatesman, "Start perennials from seed now and save on your gardening costs," 5 July 2017
This includes classics like quaking aspen, yarrow, big sagebrush, columbine and milkweed.

— anna webb, idahostatesman, "Milkweed, cacti, foul-smelling voodoo lilies: Visit a small — but intense — Boise garden," 23 June 2017
In pastel pinks and purples, an enchanting mix of columbines, lupines and foxgloves bloom in pockets of sun underneath Japanese maples.

— debbie arrington, sacbee.com, "How to live (peacefully) with deer in a mountain oasis," 2 June 2017
The sale will include about 45 different plant species, including wild columbine, wild geranium, butterfly milkweed, blazing stars and purple prairie clover, the school district said.

— jennifer johnson, chicagotribune.com, "Park Ridge Farmers Market, outdoor pools open Memorial Day weekend," 23 May 2017
Sun: Partial to shade Soil moisture: Average to dry Height: One to two-and-a-half feet Deer resistant: Yes Comments: Columbines will readily multiply once established.

— cleveland.com, "See 25 native Ohio perennials for your garden: vibrant color and deer-resistant!," 16 May 2017
Sun: Partial to shade Soil moisture: Average to dry Height: One to two-and-a-half feet Deer resistant: Yes Comments: Columbines will readily multiply once established.

— cleveland.com, "See 25 native Ohio perennials for your garden: vibrant color and deer-resistant!," 16 May 2017
At this time of year, Jack-in-the pulpit and columbine bloom on the forest floor.

— USA TODAY, "Rare wildflower blooms in only one place on Earth – New Jersey," 12 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'Columbine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.