primula

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prim·u·la

(prĭm′yə-lə)

[Short for Medieval Latin prīmula vēris, cowslip, primrose (literally, "little first one of spring") : Latin prīmula, little first one (from feminine of prīmulus, diminutive of prīmus, first; see prime) + Latin vēris, genitive of vēr, spring.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

primula

(ˈprɪmjʊlə)

(Plants) any primulaceous plant of the N temperate genus Primula, having white, yellow, pink, or purple funnel-shaped flowers with five spreading petals: includes the primrose, oxlip, cowslip, and polyanthus

[C18: New Latin, from Medieval Latin prīmula (vēris) little first one (of the spring)]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

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Noun

primula - any of numerous short-stemmed plants of the genus Primula having tufted basal leaves and showy flowers clustered in umbels or heads

primrose

genus Primula - very large and important genus of plants of temperate Europe and Asia having showy flowers

English primrose, Primula vulgaris - plant of western and southern Europe widely cultivated for its pale yellow flowers

cowslip, Primula veris, paigle - early spring flower common in British isles having fragrant yellow or sometimes purple flowers

oxlip, paigle, Primula elatior - Eurasian primrose with yellow flowers clustered in a one-sided umbel

Chinese primrose, Primula sinensis - cultivated Asiatic primrose

auricula, bear's ear, Primula auricula - yellow-flowered primrose native to Alps; commonly cultivated

polyanthus, Primula polyantha - florists' primroses; considered a complex hybrid derived from oxlip, cowslip, and common primrose

herb, herbaceous plant - a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests

Translations

primevère

primula

[ˈprɪmjʊlə] N (Bot) → prímula f

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

primula

[ˈprɪmjʊlə] n (= flower) → primevère f

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

primula

n → Primel f

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

primula

[ˈprɪmjʊlə] n (Bot) → primula

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

References in classic literature ?

A gilt bamboo jardiniere, in which the primulas and cinerarias were punctually renewed, blocked the access to the bay window (where the old- fashioned would have preferred a bronze reduction of the Venus of Milo); the sofas and arm-chairs of pale brocade were cleverly grouped about little plush tables densely covered with silver toys, porcelain animals and efflorescent photograph frames; and tall rosy-shaded lamps shot up like tropical flowers among the palms.

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I also grow the graceful Primula pulverulenta, which holds its whorls of magenta flowers on tall stems.

I love damp summers as those candelabras light up the garden

Each year 3,000 tonnes is produced at the Primula factory in Gateshead and exported around the world.

Cheese line sorcery and art of alchemy

The Primula Cheese plant, where 3,000 tonnes of spreadable cheese is produced every year, has been visited by TV presenters Gregg Wallace and Cherry Healey for the BBC2 programme.

Show spreads word of new cheese flavours

Inside the Factory with Primula Cheese airs tomorrow night on BBC Two at 8pm and will be available afterwards on the BBC iPlayer.

TV's Gregg Wallace tours Gateshead spready cheese factory to learn tricks of the trade; BBC2 show Inside the Factory will this week showcase the Primula Cheese factory on the Team Valley

One of the easiest primulas to grow is the drumstick primula, Primula denticulata.

Grow a rainbow; 40 LIFESTYLE Gardening with Adrienne Wild Best spring colour

Spring surprises like hazel (Corylus avellana Concorta'), rock cress (Arabis), primula (Primula aucalis) and Aubrieta are perfect for those who can't wait to bring their garden to life.

February plants of the month; In the garden

Tiny Lives Trust, St Oswald's Hospice and Maggie's Cancer Centre were all invited into squeezy cheese makers Primula's Team Valley head office for what they thought was a second-round pitch to be in with a shot of securing vital funding.

North East charities' PS95k boost; COMPANY GIVES CASH TO GOOD CAUSES

OFFER of the week Pretty Primula Primlet produces masses of double or semi double flowers that will grow to look like miniature roses.

OFFER of the week; Gardening club

PRIMULA DENTICULATA (Drumstick primula) IT'S a joyous sight to see wild primroses in bloom this week.

PLANT OF THE WEEK

Primula denticulataThey are really easy to grow, flourishing in virtually any situation provided they are planted in rich soil, although cowslips favour free-draining soil and the Asiatic types provide a riot of colour in heavy soil.

Your guide to growing the perfect primulas

Primula denticulataflourishing in virtually any situation provided they are planted in rich soil, although cowslips favour free-draining soil and the Asiatic types provide a riot of colour in heavy soil.