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Glite Dictionary
early purple orchid

early purple orchid

9.6
A wild orchid with pink or purple flowers in a loose cluster that blooms in spring
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : orquídea púrpura temprana
  • The early purple orchid blooms in spring before many other wildflowers appear.

Examples

  • A cluster of early purple orchids added vibrant color to the woodland path.

  • We spotted an early purple orchid growing at the edge of the meadow.

  • The early purple orchid blooms in spring.

  • Have you seen an early purple orchid before?

  • A cluster of early purple orchids added vibrant color to the woodland path.

  • The early purple orchid blooms in spring before many other wildflowers appear.

  • We spotted an early purple orchid growing at the edge of the meadow.

Synonyms

Orchis mascula
vsearly purple orchid
  • Specialized
9.9

A wild orchid with bright pink or purple flowers that grows in meadows and woods

omits habitat information and gives the taxonomic label instead
male orchis
vsearly purple orchid
9.9

A wild plant with bright pink or purple flowers along a tall thin stem

does not specify wildness, describing the plant in general terms

Surface Forms

early purple orchid singular
early purple orchids plural

Morphology

early + purple + orchid

The phrase combines 'early' (blooming in the initial season) and 'purple' (colour) with 'orchid' (a flowering plant) to denote an orchid that flowers early and has purple blossoms; this meaning is directly and transparently derivable from the constituents. Adjective + noun species names are a common, compositional pattern in English (and cross-linguistically), so a B1 learner who knows the individual words would readily understand the phrase.

Etymology

Early purple orchid is named for the plant's look: the orchid has bright purple flowers that appear early in spring, so the name simply means a 'purple orchid that blooms early'.