primrose

From Middle English primerose, from Old French primerose, from Medieval Latin prima (“first”) + rosa (“rose”). The reason it was called this might be that some primroses are among the first flowers to bloom in the spring.

• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈpɹɪm.ɹoʊz/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈpɹɪm.ɹəʊz/

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primrose (plural primroses)

1. A flowering plant of the genus Primula.
   • 1946 September and October, D. J. Rowett, “Stamford L.N.E.R.”, in Railway Magazine, page 283:

     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.

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

   primrose:  

• (plant): primula, cowslip, oxlip, primerole

primrose (comparative more primrose, superlative most primrose)

1. Of a light yellow colour.
   • 1961 February, “New "Mini-Buffets" from Wolverton”, in Trains Illustrated, page 79:

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

primrose (third-person singular simple present primroses, present participle primrosing, simple past and past participle primrosed)

1. (intransitive) To pick primroses.

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

• Oenothera on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• Oenothera on Wikispecies.Wikispecies
• Oenothera on Wikimedia Commons.Wikimedia Commons
• Primulaceae on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• Primulaceae on Wikispecies.Wikispecies
• Primulaceae on Wikimedia Commons.Wikimedia Commons

• Primeros, promiser