Definition of periwinkle
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: any of several trailing or woody evergreen herbs of the dogbane family: such as
a(1)
: a European creeper (Vinca minor) widely cultivated as a ground cover and for its blue or white flowers
— called also myrtle
(2)
: a trailing plant (Vinca major) with large blue flowers that is used as a ground cover and in window boxes
b
: rosy periwinkle
2
: a light purplish blue
— called also periwinkle blue
periwinkle
noun (2)Definition of periwinkle (Entry 2 of 2)
: any of various gastropod mollusks: such as
a
: any of a genus (Littorina) of edible littoral marine snails
also
: any of various similar or related marine snails
b
: any of several North American freshwater snails
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for periwinkle
The first known use of periwinkle was before the 12th century
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