Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

rosy periwinkle

noun

Definition of rosy periwinkle

: a commonly cultivated subshrub (Catharanthus roseus synonym Vinca rosea) of the dogbane family that is native to the Old World tropics and is the source of several antineoplastic drugs — called also Madagascar periwinkle, periwinkle

First Known Use of rosy periwinkle

1982

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary

rosy periwinkle

noun \ ˈrō-zē- \

medical Definition of rosy periwinkle

: a commonly cultivated shrub (Catharanthus roseus synonym Vinca rosea) of the dogbane family (Apocynaceae) that is native to the Old World tropics and is the source of several antineoplastic drugs (as vinblastine and vincristine) — called also Madagascar periwinkle, periwinkle

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up rosy periwinkle? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

jabberwocky

play

meaningless speech or writing

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. insubordinate 'disobedient to authority'

  2. promulgate 'to make known by open declaration'

  3. epochal 'momentous or unparalleled'

  4. clemency 'merciful treatment of someone who could be given harsh punishment'

  5. suborn 'to induce to commit perjury'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

rosy periwinkle
rot

Test Your Vocabulary

Name More Food!

  • red-fruit
  • Name that Fruit!
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Bee Cubed

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games