delphinium

noun

del·​phin·​i·​um del-ˈfi-nē-əm How to pronounce delphinium (audio)
: any of a large genus (Delphinium) of the buttercup family that comprises chiefly perennial erect branching herbs with palmately divided leaves and irregular flowers in showy spikes and includes several that are poisonous compare larkspur

Illustration of delphinium

Illustration of delphinium

Examples of delphinium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The dinner's backdrop will be a canvas of American monarch butterflies and Australian Cairns Birdwing butterflies against roses and delphinium for the U.S. and eucalyptus for Australia. Naomi Lim, Washington Examiner, 24 Oct. 2023 How is yours? Support the tall ones: Sunflowers, delphiniums — any tall flowering plant that can collect rain should have some support. Jeff Lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, 24 Aug. 2023 The best flowers for pressing are ones that lie flat: violets, daises, poppies, pansies, cosmos, delphiniums, geraniums, forget-me-nots, and greenery. Grace Haynes, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2023 Designers also incorporated hybrid delphiniums, French tulips and garden roses plus dark and glossy gardenia foliage. Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 25 May 2023 This bunch includes an array of colorful flowers including red carnations, yellow daisies, green button chrysanthemums, blue delphinium and purple stock. Beth Dreher, goodhousekeeping.com, 29 Apr. 2023 Roses and foxgloves rotate over the course of the summer with pansies and delphiniums in a cottage-style planting. Stephen Orr, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Mar. 2023 Make your mom's day with bohemian bunch that includes roses, delphinium, thistle, snapdragons and more. Town & Country, 15 Feb. 2023 Pansies and other annuals go wild for many months in Southern California’s mild climate, followed by cottage garden flowers like foxgloves, delphiniums, and poppies. Stephen Orr, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'delphinium.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, genus name, from Greek delphinion larkspur, diminutive of delphin-, delphis dolphin; probably from the shape of the nectary

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of delphinium was in 1664

Dictionary Entries Near delphinium

Cite this Entry

“Delphinium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/delphinium. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

delphinium

noun
del·​phin·​i·​um del-ˈfin-ē-əm How to pronounce delphinium (audio)
: any of a large genus of herbs related to the buttercups and widely grown for their flowers in showy spikes

Medical Definition

delphinium

noun
del·​phin·​i·​um del-ˈfin-ē-əm How to pronounce delphinium (audio)
1
capitalized : a large genus of the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) that comprises chiefly perennial herbs with divided leaves and flowers in showy spikes and includes several especially of the western United States that are toxic to grazing animals and especially cattle see larkspur, stavesacre
2
: any plant of the genus Delphinium
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