auricula

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a cultivated Alpine primrose with clusters of often brightly coloured flowers

   A purple auricula bloomed beside the snowdrops in the spring border.

2. 2
   noun

   anatomy: the external ear or a small ear-shaped appendage, especially one projecting from a heart atrium

   The surgeon examined the left auricula before repairing the atrial wall.

From Latin auricula, 'little ear,' the diminutive of auris, 'ear.' The anatomical senses are direct; the plant was named for leaves thought to resemble a small ear.

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