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saxifrage
[ sak-suh-frij ]
noun
- any plant of the genus Saxifraga, certain species of which grow wild in the clefts of rocks, other species of which are cultivated for their flowers.
saxifrage
/ ˈsæksɪˌfreɪdʒ /
noun
- any saxifragaceous plant of the genus Saxifraga, characterized by smallish white, yellow, purple, or pink flowers
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Word History and Origins
Origin of saxifrage1
1400–50; late Middle English < Latin saxifraga ( herba ) stone-breaking (herb), equivalent to saxi-, combining form of saxum stone + -fraga, feminine of -fragus breaking; fragile
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Word History and Origins
Origin of saxifrage1
C15: from Late Latin saxifraga, literally: rock-breaker (probably alluding to its ability to dissolve kidney stones), from Latin saxum rock + frangere to break
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Example Sentences
Endless are the ranks of the saxifrage family in white; countless the numbers of the pink family.
From Project Gutenberg
Chrysosplenium oppositifolium, opposite golden saxifrage—in the dark and rocky hollow lanes.
From Project Gutenberg
Helen was preoccupied with her saxifrage and her purple gloves.
From Project Gutenberg
He laid the Bible down upon the table, and seized the saxifrage.
From Project Gutenberg
But she blushed like a schoolgirl when she gave him, saxifrage and all, her ungloved hand.
From Project Gutenberg
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