American dog violet
- noun
- /əˈmɛrɪkən dɔg ˈvaɪəlɪt/
- US
:
violeta americana
- The American dog violet is known for its delicate pale petals and heart-shaped leaves.
Examples
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We found an American dog violet blooming near the edge of the forest trail.
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Gardeners often seek the American dog violet because it thrives in shaded woodland gardens.
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The American dog violet blooms in the spring.
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Many gardeners love the American dog violet for its beauty.
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Gardeners often seek the American dog violet because it thrives in shaded woodland gardens.
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The American dog violet is known for its delicate pale petals and heart-shaped leaves.
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We found an American dog violet blooming near the edge of the forest trail.
Synonyms
23
1.0
A small flower with leaves shaped like hearts and purple petals
A small wild violet with pale violet to white flowers that grows in shady, moist places
Surface Forms
Morphology
The components 'American' and 'violet' transparently signal an American species of the violet plant, so a learner who knows those words would infer it refers to a kind of violet. However, 'dog' is a conventional, non-literal element in English plant names (as in 'dog violet') and does not contribute a predictable meaning from the animal 'dog', so the phrase is partially but not fully compositional.
Etymology
American dog violet joins American (where it grows) with dog + violet. In older plant names, 'dog' often meant a plain or less fragrant version of a flower, so a dog violet brings to mind a simple woodland violet rather than a sweet garden one. That's why the name describes a pale, common violet found in America.