Adjacent Words

wallflower definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: any of numerous plants of the genus Erysimum having fragrant yellow or orange or brownish flowers
2: perennial of southern Europe having clusters of fragrant flowers of all colors especially yellow and orange; often naturalized on old walls or cliffs; sometimes placed in genus Erysimum [syn: wallflower, Cheiranthus cheiri, Erysimum cheiri]
3: remains on sidelines at social event

Merriam Webster's

noun Date: 1578 1. a. any of several Old World perennial herbs (genus Cheiranthus) of the mustard family; especially a hardy erect herb (C. cheiri) widely cultivated for its showy fragrant flowers b. any of a related genus (Erysimum) of herbs with showy flowers 2. a. a person who from shyness or unpopularity remains on the sidelines of a social activity (as a dance) b. a shy or reserved person

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. 1 a a fragrant spring garden-plant, Cheiranthus cheiri, with esp. brown, yellow, or dark-red clustered flowers. b any of various flowering plants of the genus Cheiranthus or Erysimum, growing wild on old walls. 2 colloq. a neglected or socially awkward person, esp. a woman sitting out at a dance for lack of partners.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Wallflower Wall"flow`er, n. 1. (Bot.) A perennial, cruciferous plant (Cheiranthus Cheiri), with sweet-scented flowers varying in color from yellow to orange and deep red. In Europe it very common on old walls. Note: The name is sometimes extended to other species of Cheiranthus and of the related genus Erysimum, especially the American Western wallflower (Erysimum asperum), a biennial herb with orange-yellow flowers. 2. A lady at a ball, who, either from choice, or because not asked to dance, remains a spectator. [Colloq.]

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Wallflower Wall"flow`er, n. (Bot.) In Australia, the desert poison bush (Gastrolobium grandiflorum); -- called also native wallflower.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(wallflowers) 1. A wallflower is a plant that is grown in gardens and has sweet-smelling yellow, red, orange, or purple flowers. N-COUNT 2. If you say that someone is a wallflower, you mean that they are shy and do not get involved in dancing or talking to people at social events. N-COUNT