Definition of CELANDINE

celandine

Plural: celandines

Noun

  • North American annual plant with usually yellow or orange flowers; grows chiefly on wet rather acid soil
  • perennial herb with branched woody stock and bright yellow flowers
  • Any plant of the genus Chelidonium.
  • Either of two not closely related flowering plants:
  • Greater celandine (Chelidonium majus).
  • Either of two not closely related flowering plants:
  • Lesser celandine (Ficaria verna, formerly Ranunculus ficaria).
  • Either of two not closely related flowering plants

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English celidoine, Old French celidoine, French chélidoine, from Latin chelīdonia, from chelīdonius (“relating to the swallow”), from Ancient Greek χελιδόνιος (khelidónios), χελιδών (khelidṓn). It was traditionally supposed to flower when the swallows appeared, and to perish when they departed.

Synonyms

Chelidonium majus, greater celandine, Impatiens capensis, jewelweed, lady's earrings, orange balsam, swallow wort, swallowwort, touch-me-not, pilewort

Scrabble Score: 12

celandine: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
celandine: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
celandine: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 16

celandine: valid Words With Friends Word