geranium

noun ge·ra·ni·um \jə-ˈrā-nē-əm, -nyəm\

: a plant that is grown for its red, white, pink, or purple flowers

Full Definition of GERANIUM

: any of a widely distributed genus (Geranium of the family Geraniaceae, the geranium family) of plants having regular usually white, pink, or purple flowers with elongated styles and glands that alternate with the petals —called also cranesbill

: pelargonium

: a vivid or strong red

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Origin of GERANIUM

New Latin, from Latin, geranium, from Greek geranion, from diminutive of geranos crane — more at crane

First Known Use: 1548

Rhymes with GERANIUM

germanium, titanium, uranium

GERANIUM Defined for Kids

geranium

noun ge·ra·ni·um \jə-ˈrā-nē-əm\

Definition of GERANIUM for Kids

: a plant often grown for its bright flowers

Word History of GERANIUM

Many of the plants of the geranium family have long, thin, pointed fruits that look a bit like the bill of a bird. The ancient Greeks thought that the fruit of the wild geranium looked like the bill of a crane, and so gave the plant the name geranion, literally, “little crane.” The English word geranium came from this Greek name.

Learn More About GERANIUM

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "geranium"

Nglish: Translation of "geranium" for Spanish speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about "geranium"

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