Meanings
nounorphan John (uncountable)
- uncountableHylotelephium telephium, a succulent perennial ground cover native to Eurasia.
Synonyms & antonyms
Also see
Origin
The first word is probably from orpine, another name of this plant. Compare harping Johnny.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
APA
orphan John. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/orphan%20John
MLA
“orphan John.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/orphan%20John. Accessed November 4, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “orphan John,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/orphan%20John.
Source: orphan John on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.