begonia

[ bih-gohn-yuh, -goh-nee-uh ]

noun
  1. any tropical plant belonging to the genus Begonia, including species cultivated for the handsome, succulent leaves and waxy flowers.

Origin of begonia

1
<New Latin (Linnaeus), named after Michel Bégon (1638–1710), French patron of science; see -ia

Words Nearby begonia

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use begonia in a sentence

  • Among foliage plants such things as coleus, dusty miller, begonia, and some geraniums are adaptable.

  • The begonia leaf may be treated in various other ways and still give good results.

  • begonia leaves, however, will throw out young plants from the main veins when these veins or ribs are cut.

  • Mr. Herbert Spencer (speaking of the reproduction, by budding, of a begonia-leaf) recognizes a power of the kind.

    On the Genesis of Species | St. George Mivart
  • But any leaf of begonia can be made to develop into a new plant, giving rise to germ-cells.

British Dictionary definitions for begonia

begonia

/ (bɪˈɡəʊnjə) /


noun
  1. any plant of the genus Begonia, of warm and tropical regions, widely cultivated for their ornamental leaves and waxy flowers: family Begoniaceae

Origin of begonia

1
C18: New Latin, named after Michel Bégon (1638–1710), French patron of science

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