primrose

plural primroses

1. A flowering plant of the genus Primula.

   Here is spring were celandine, marsh marigold, wind-flower, primrose, cowslip and dog's violet.

   1977, K.M. Elizabeth Murray, Caught in the Web of Words, Oxford: Oxford University Press, page 13

   1 more example

   A mile or so further on is the intermediate station of Ryhall, smothered with primroses in the season, and at all times a veritable flower garden.

   1946 September and October, D. J. Rowett, “Stamford L.N.E.R.”, in Railway Magazine, page 283

   1. Specifically, the species Primula acaulis (syn. Primula vulgaris), also called common primrose.

      Synonyms: plumrock, plumrose

2. A plant of the family Primulaceae.
3. A plant of the genus Oenothera, better known as an evening primrose.
4. A flower of a primrose plant.
5. A light yellow colour.

comparative more primrose · superlative most primrose

1. Of a light yellow colour.

   Passenger saloons are tastefully furnished with wood veneer and partitions, mottled grey Vyanide walls, pale primrose ceilings and grey floor.

   1961 February, “New "Mini-Buffets" from Wolverton”, in Trains Illustrated, page 79

present singular third person primroses · participle present primrosing · participle past primrosed · past primrosed

1. intransitiveTo pick primroses.

   We went primrosing on Sunday and returned with a full basket.

1. A habitational surname.
2. BritainrareA female given name from English.

   Mother said, "How do you like Primrose? It sounds fresh and pretty." Milly-Molly-Mandy thought it sounded a very nice name. […] And then she decided, as the baby had come in the spring-time, it had better be Primrose.

   1929, Joyce Lankester Brisley, chapter 8, in More of Milly-Molly-Mandy