polyanthus

See also: polyanthous

English

Etymology

From Renaissance Latin polyanthus, corresponding to poly- +‎ Ancient Greek ἄνθος (ánthos, flower).

Noun

polyanthus (plural polyanthuses or polyanthi)

  1. A type of primula, apparently originally from a hybrid between the cowslip and the primrose, having many different-coloured flowers. [from 17th c.]
    • 1793 February 27, Hester Piozzi, Thraliana:
      [T]he Hens all want to sit, the Primroses Polyanthuses &c crowd the Hedges; & a Rose Tree or two are quite full of Leaves.
    • 1842, [Katherine] Thomson, chapter X, in Widows and Widowers. A Romance of Real Life., volume II, London: Richard Bentley, [], →OCLC, pages 227–228:
      No cottage in Coughton boasted taller hollyhocks, nor finer Michaelmas daisies in the autumn than Dame Magdalen’s almshouses; and even now, at this early season, well cared-for stocks, and rich polyanthuses might excite the envy of more scientific but less successful gardeners.

Latin

Etymology

From Ancient Greek πολυ- (polu-) + ἄνθος (ánthos).

Pronunciation

Adjective

polyanthus (feminine polyantha, neuter polyanthum); first/second-declension adjective

  1. (New Latin) Having many flowers

Declension

First/second-declension adjective.

singular plural
masculine feminine neuter masculine feminine neuter
nominative polyanthus polyantha polyanthum polyanthī polyanthae polyantha
genitive polyanthī polyanthae polyanthī polyanthōrum polyanthārum polyanthōrum
dative polyanthō polyanthae polyanthō polyanthīs
accusative polyanthum polyantham polyanthum polyanthōs polyanthās polyantha
ablative polyanthō polyanthā polyanthō polyanthīs
vocative polyanthe polyantha polyanthum polyanthī polyanthae polyantha