desert four o'clock
- noun
- /ˈdɛzərt fɔr əˈklɒk/
- US
:
flor de cuatro en punto del desierto
- The desert four o'clock blooms in the evening, showing off its deep pink flowers in the desert heat.
Examples
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The desert four o'clock flowers open in the cool evening air, revealing their stunning deep pink color.
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We spotted several desert four o'clock plants during our hike across the sand dunes.
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Gardeners admire the desert four o'clock for its hardiness and colorful blossoms.
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The desert four o'clock blooms beautifully at sunset.
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Have you seen the desert four o'clock in bloom?
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As night falls, the desert four o'clock transforms the landscape with its vibrant blossoms.
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In the arid landscape, the desert four o'clock thrives and adds a splash of color to the sandy surroundings.
Synonyms
7
7.7
A garden plant with colorful, fragrant flowers that open in the late afternoon
A wildflower with deep pink tube-shaped flowers that open in the evening in desert areas
A wildflower with deep pink tube-shaped flowers that open in the evening
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase combines a clear modifier 'desert' with the lexicalized noun 'four o'clock' (a common name for a flowering plant). A B1 learner who only knows the literal words is unlikely to infer that 'four o'clock' refers to a wildflower rather than a time, though the modifier makes the referent a variety associated with desert habitat. Because part of the meaning depends on knowing the plant name while the compound structure is otherwise predictable, this is best judged semi-transparent.
Etymology
Desert four o'clock gets its name because its bright flowers open in the late afternoon, just like a clock at four o'clock, and the plant often grows in the desert. So the name tells us it 'blooms in the evening'.