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delphinium

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del⋅phin⋅i⋅um

[del-fin-ee-uhm]
–noun, plural -i⋅ums, -i⋅a [-ee-uh] .
any of numerous plants of the genus Delphinium, esp. any of various tall, cultivated species having usually blue, pink, or white flowers.
Compare larkspur.


Origin:
1655–65; < NL < Gk delphnion larkspur, deriv. of delphs (s. delphīn-) dolphin; so called from the shape of the nectary
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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del·phin·i·um   (děl-fĭn'ē-əm)   
n.  A plant of the genus Delphinium, especially any of several tall cultivated varieties having palmate leaves and long racemes of showy, variously colored spurred flowers. Also called larkspur.

[New Latin Delphinium, genus name, from Greek delphinion, larkspur, probably diminutive of delphīs, delphīn-, dolphin (from the shape of the nectary).]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: del·phin·i·um
Pronunciation: del-'fin-E-&m
Function: noun
1 capitalized : a large genus of the buttercupfamily (Ranunculaceae) that comprises chiefly perennial erect branching herbs with divided leaves and flowers in showy spikes and includes several especially of the western U.S. that are toxic tograzing animals and especially cattle —see LARKSPUR, STAVESACRE
2 : any plant of the genus Delphinium
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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