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Webster 1913 Edition


Cowslip

Cow′slipˊ

(-slĭpˊ)
,
Noun.
[AS.
cūslyppe
,
cūsloppe
, prob. orig., cow’s droppings. Cf.
Slop
,
Noun.
]
(Bot.)
1.
A common flower in England (
Primula veris
) having yellow blossoms and appearing in early spring. It is often cultivated in the United States.
2.
In the United States, the marsh marigold (
Caltha palustris
), appearing in wet places in early spring and often used as a pot herb. It is nearer to a buttercup than to a true cowslip. See Illust. of
Marsh marigold
.
American cowslip
(Bot.)
,
a pretty flower of the West (
Dodecatheon Meadia
), belonging to the same order (
Primulaceæ
) with the English cowslip.
French cowslip
(Bot.)
,
bear's-ear (
Primula Auricula
).

Webster 1828 Edition


Cowslip

COWSLIP

, COWS-LIP,
Noun.
A plant of the genus Primula, or primrose, of several varieties. The American cowship belongs to the genus Dodecatheon; the Jerusalem and mountain cowslip, to the genus Pulmonaria.

Definition 2024


cowslip

cowslip

English

cowslip, Primula veris

Alternative forms

  • cowslippe (obsolete)

Noun

cowslip (plural cowslips)

  1. A low-growing plant, Primula veris, with yellow flowers.
    • 1610, Shakespeare, The Tempest, act 5 scene 1
      Where the bee sucks, there suck I: / In a cowslip's bell I lie;
  2. Any of several other plants related or similar in appearance
    1. Primula deorum, a flowering plant known as God's cowslip and rila cowslip
    2. Primula florindae, a flowering plant known as giant cowslip and Tibetan cowslip
    3. Primula sikkimensis, a flowering plant known as Himalayan cowslip and Sikkim cowslip
    4. (Canada, US, regional) marsh marigold, Caltha palustris, a plant in the buttercup family, growing in wet, boggy locations.
    5. Pulmonaria angustifolia, blue cowslip or narrow-leaved lungwort

Synonyms

Translations