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Glite Dictionary
Adonis annua

Adonis annua

9.9
A small plant from Europe and Asia with bright red flowers and dark centers often grown in gardens
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : adonis anual
  • The bright red flowers of Adonis annua make it a favorite in cottage gardens.

Examples

  • Botanists often grow Adonis annua for its ornamental value and easy cultivation.

  • The garden was filled with vibrant Adonis annua flowers.

  • Adonis annua is sometimes called pheasant's-eye due to its distinctive appearance.

  • Many people admire the beauty of Adonis annua.

  • Adonis annua is a popular choice in gardens for its stunning red flowers and eye-catching look.

  • Many gardeners cultivate Adonis annua every spring to enjoy its beautiful, deep red blooms.

  • Due to its striking flowers, Adonis annua is often featured in flower arrangements and garden displays.

Synonyms

pheasant's-eye
vsAdonis annua
  • UK
9.9

A small plant from Europe and Asia with deep red flowers and dark centers

is the scientific name for the same plant

Surface Forms

Adonis annua singular
Adonis annuas plural

Morphology

Adonis + annua

Although 'annua' is not given a dictionary gloss here, it is the Latin adjective meaning 'annual' used in botanical names; combined with 'Adonis' (a plant genus), the phrase simply denotes the annual species of Adonis (pheasant's-eye). This taxonomic, compositional pattern is predictable and cross-linguistically regular, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Adonis annua is named for its looks: the name Adonis comes from a handsome young man in a Greek story, and the bright red flowers have a dark center like a bird's eye, which gave the common name 'pheasant's-eye'. The word annua means the plant 'lives for one year', so the whole name helps you remember it's a beautiful, annual red flower.