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Glite Dictionary
maltese cross

maltese cross

9.9
A garden plant with clusters of bright red flowers
  • noun
  • /mɔːlˈtiːz krɔs/
translation icon : cruz maltesa
  • The maltese cross blooms beautifully in the summer.

Examples

  • The maltese cross is prized for its vivid scarlet blooms.

  • He planted a row of maltese cross along the backyard fence.

  • Clusters of maltese cross brightened the far corner of her garden.

  • Many gardeners love the maltese cross for its vibrant color.

  • Clusters of maltese cross brightened the far corner of her garden.

  • He planted a row of maltese cross along the backyard fence.

  • The maltese cross is prized for its vivid scarlet blooms.

Synonyms

Lychnis chalcedonica
vsmaltese cross
  • Specialized
9.9

A garden plant that lives for several years with bright red flowers in tight groups often called Maltese cross

is the common garden name rather than the botanical term
scarlet lychnis
vsmaltese cross
9.9

A garden plant with bright red flowers in tight groups

is the specific common name linked to the botanical species

How Showy

peony
3 3.7
maltese cross
9.9
rose
469 1.0
wildflower
33 2.2
grass
521 1.0

Surface Forms

maltese cross singular
maltese crosses plural

Morphology

Maltese + cross

The plant meaning is a lexicalized proper name and cannot be predicted from 'Maltese' (from Malta) plus 'cross' (a cross or hybrid). A B1 learner who knows the constituents would not infer 'a Eurasian perennial plant,' so the expression is idiomatic/lexicalized and unpredictable.

Etymology

Maltese cross is a garden plant with bright red flowers that grow in a cluster shaped like a cross. That cross shape reminded people of the old Maltese knight's cross, so gardeners began to call the plant by that name.