periwinkle

plural periwinkles

1. Any of several evergreen plants of the genus Vinca with blue or white flowers.First known use 10th c.

   The Periwinkle is a great binder, staying bleeding both at mouth and nose if some of the leaves be chewed.

   1652, Nich[olas] Culpeper, The English Physitian: Or An Astrologo-physical Discourse of the Vulgar Herbs of This Nation. […], London: […] Peter Cole, […], →OCLC

   2 more examples

   He that vvould diſcern the rudimentall ſtroak of a plant, may behold it in the Originall of Duckvveed, at the bigneſſe of a pins point, from convenient vvater in glaſſes, vvherein a vvatchfull eye may alſo diſcover the puncticular Originals of Perivvincles and Gnats.

   1658, Thomas Browne, “The Garden of Cyrus. […]. Chapter III.”, in Hydriotaphia, Urne-buriall, […] Together with The Garden of Cyrus, […], London: […] Hen[ry] Brome […], →OCLC, page 137

   Among herbs that have traditionally been considered to possess aphrodisiac virtue are, maidenhair, navelwort, anemone, wild poppy, valerian, cyclamen, male fern, pansy, periwinkle.

   1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 115

   Synonyms: myrtle, vinca, creeping myrtle

2. Similar plants of genus Catharanthus.
3. A color with bluish and purplish hues, somewhat light.

   1 more example

   And although we’ve certainly seen a variety of blue shades — from periwinkle to cobalt and even Dean Cain’s indigo-washed costume from the 1990’s TV show “Lois & Clark” — Superman’s uniform is still instantly recognizable across generations. In fact, there is only one film — Zack Snyder’s 2013 “Man of Steel” — in which Superman does not wear his iconic red belted trunks.

   2025 February 21, Leah Dolan, “How the Superman ‘S’ became fashion’s favorite logo”, in CNN

comparative more periwinkle · superlative most periwinkle

1. Of pale bluish purple colour.

plural periwinkles

1. A mollusk of family Littorinidae.

   He was working a pin into a periwinkle shell, turning it to extract the toothsome morsel of meat.

   2022, Paul McAuley, Beyond the Burn Line, Gollancz, page 217

   Synonyms: winkle

2. Pacific Northwest USA caddisfly larva.