delphinium

noun del·phin·i·um \ del-ˈfi-nē-əm \

Updated on: 17 May 2018

Definition of delphinium

: 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

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Recent Examples of delphinium from the Web

Many remember the great delphinium of the cooler climates opening tall stalks of white, blue and purple blooms.

— tom maccubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Great flowers that need an early start," 11 May 2018
After flowering, foxgloves, columbine and delphiniums should be pulled up.

— NOLA.com, "This week's gardening tips: don't miss the camellia show," 27 Jan. 2018
The stone of royalty, the sapphire, come in a vibrant blue that can be matched with flowers like anemones, delphinium, or orchids.

— dobrina zhekova, Sunset, "10 Bold Décor Ideas for Your Jewel Tone-Inspired Wedding," 22 Jan. 2018
Plant Foxglove, delphinium and hollyhock now: These three plants are large, tall-growing cool-season bedding plants that need to be planted early to put on a great display in spring.

— NOLA.com, "This week's gardening tips: plant foxgloves, delphinium and hollyhock," 13 Jan. 2018
Guests were shaded by volcanic eruptions of delphiniums, and the recherché menu included a performative dessert that required hot chocolate to be poured onto a brittle triangle, melting a perfect hole to access the creamy glories beneath.

— hamish bowles, Vogue, "Belle of the Ball! In Venice and Paris, Vogue’s Hamish Bowles Embarks on an Art-Filled Excursion," 30 Aug. 2017
Simons had transformed Dior’s Avenue Montaigne headquarters into his high-fashion idea of installation art, covering the walls of the salons through which the models walked with more than a million orchids, roses, delphiniums, and mimosas.

— bob colacello, Vanities, "How Raf Simons Captured the Calvin Klein Empire," 31 July 2017
Simons had transformed Dior’s Avenue Montaigne headquarters into his high-fashion idea of installation art, covering the walls of the salons through which the models walked with more than a million orchids, roses, delphiniums, and mimosas.

— bob colacello, vanityfair.com, "How Raf Simons Captured the Calvin Klein Empire," 31 July 2017
So just transplanting an anthocyanin from a blue flower like a delphinium didn’t really work.

— elizabeth pennisi, Science | AAAS, "Scientists genetically engineer the world’s first blue chrysanthemum," 26 July 2017

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

Illustration of delphinium

Origin and Etymology of delphinium

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1664

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

delphinium

noun del·phin·i·um \ del-ˈfin-ē-əm \

medical Definition of delphinium

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