poinsettia

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noun poin·set·tia \ pȯin-ˈse-tē-ə , nonstandard pȯint- , nonstandard -ˈse-tə \

Definition of poinsettia

:any of several spurges (genus Euphorbia) with flower clusters subtended by showy involucral bracts; especially :a showy Mexican and Central American plant (E. pulcherrima) with tapering usually scarlet bracts that suggest petals and surround small yellow flowers

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Recent Examples of poinsettia from the Web

The kids sell popcorn, coffee, poinsettias, chocolate and tickets to pancake breakfasts.

— donna vickroy, Daily Southtown, "The little program that could," 11 Aug. 2017
True to Rouse's vision, the mall through the years became a community gathering place, hosting traditions including the annual Christmas poinsettia tree and a periodic Ball in the Mall to celebrate Columbia milestones.

— libby solomon, Columbia Flier, "This week in Columbia history: Mall opened to anchor a community," 1 Aug. 2017
All poinsettias are in the euphorbia family, and therefore produce a milky latex sap that can irritate the skin and eyes.

— kenneth setzer, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Fairchild's Tropical Garden Column: Going native in the garden? Try these plants," 3 July 2017
Remove 4 to 6 inches of new growth from poinsettias to encourage compact growth.

— tom maccubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "July gardening calendar," 1 July 2017
Tacked onto a bulletin board behind Marcela Garcia’s desk at the Walker’s Point Center for the Arts is a picture of a girl painting a poinsettia onto a red clay pot.

— sarah hauer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Marcela Garcia leads Walker's Point arts center she attended as a girl," 28 June 2017
Trim back poinsettias 4 to 6 inches after a foot of new growth to keep them compact.

— tom maccubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "June gardening calendar," 27 May 2017
A poinsettia tree that is a hallmark of the holiday season will remain in the same location during the holiday season.

— fatimah waseem, Howard County Times, "New entertainment center, Barnes and Noble spin-off coming to Mall in Columbia," 27 Apr. 2017
The poinsettia painting that hangs in her den did double duty as a Christmas card.

— maria l. la ganga, idahostatesman, "Gorgeous garden is a testament to Boisean’s colorful background and perseverance," 14 Apr. 2017

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

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Origin and Etymology of poinsettia

New Latin, from Joel R. Poinsett †1851 American diplomat

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First Known Use: 1836

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POINSETTIA Defined for English Language Learners

poinsettia

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noun

Definition of poinsettia for English Language Learners

: a plant with large red, pink, or white leaves that look like petals

POINSETTIA Defined for Kids

poinsettia

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noun poin·set·tia \ pȯin-ˈse-tē-ə , -ˈse-tə \

Definition of poinsettia for Students

:a tropical plant with showy usually red leaves that grow like petals around its small greenish yellow flowers

Learn More about poinsettia

See words that rhyme with poinsettia Spanish Central: Translation of poinsettia Nglish: Translation of poinsettia for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about poinsettia

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Definition of poinsettia for English Language Learners

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