Delphinium

/dɛlˈfɪniəm/ noun

Definition

A tall garden plant with spikes of usually blue, purple, pink, or white flowers, often with a dark center.

Etymology

From Greek delphinion, derived from delphin (dolphin), because the flower's shape supposedly resembles a dolphin. Named by ancient botanists who saw the bud's resemblance to the animal.

Kelly Says

Ancient Greeks named delphinium after dolphins because the budding flower looks like a dolphin's nose—it's one of the most poetic plant names, showing how closely they observed nature.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.