Definition of periwinkle
1 : any of several trailing or woody evergreen herbs of the dogbane family: such asa (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 boxesb : rosy periwinkle
2 : a light purplish blue —called also periwinkle blue
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Origin and Etymology of periwinkle
Middle English perwinke, from Old English perwince, from Vulgar Latin *pervinca, short for Latin vincapervinca
First Known Use: before 12th century
periwinkle
Definition of periwinkle
: any of various gastropod mollusks: such asa : any of a genus (Littorina) of edible littoral marine snails; also : any of various similar or related marine snailsb : any of several North American freshwater snails
Illustration of periwinkle
Origin and Etymology of periwinkle
Middle English *periwinkle, alteration of Old English pīnewincle, from Latin pina, a kind of mussel (from Greek) + Old English -wincle (akin to Danish vincle snail shell)
First Known Use: circa 1530
PERIWINKLE Defined for Kids
Definition of periwinkle for Students
: an evergreen plant that spreads along the ground and has blue or white flowers
Definition of periwinkle for Students
: a small snail that lives along rocky seashores
Medical Dictionary
periwinkle
playMedical Definition of periwinkle
: any of several trailing or woody evergreen plants of the dogbane family (Apocynaceae); especially : rosy periwinkle
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See words that rhyme with periwinkle Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about periwinkle
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