Meanings
plural poor man's weatherglasses
- countableuncountableA scarlet pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis).
Pimpernel (poor man's weather glass) was also a protection, but as the gatherer collected the herbs, he must chant a certain incantation and continue to do so twice a day for 15 days[.]
1940, Rosetta E. Clarkson, Green Enchantments: The Magic Spell of Gardens, The Macmillan Company, page 272
Synonyms & antonyms
nounherb with scarlet or white or purple blossoms that close at approach of rainy weather
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Origin
Scarlet pimpernel flowers open only when the sun shines, and even close in overcast conditions.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
poor man's weatherglass. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/poor%20man's%20weatherglass
“poor man's weatherglass.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/poor%20man's%20weatherglass. Accessed November 5, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “poor man's weatherglass,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/poor%20man's%20weatherglass.
Source: poor man's weatherglass on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.