primrose

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a low-growing plant of the genus Primula, typically bearing pale yellow flowers early in spring

   Wild primroses flowered along the shaded bank in early spring.

2. 2
   noun

   a name used in compounds for several unrelated flowering plants, especially the evening primrose of the genus Oenothera

   The evening primrose opened its yellow flowers as daylight began to fade.

From Middle English primerose, through Anglo-French from prime ("first") + rose. The name reflects the plant's early flowering, although a primrose is not botanically a rose.

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