Word Study
wallflower
CIDE DICTIONARY
wallflower, n.
- A perennial, cruciferous plant (
Cheiranthus Cheiri ), with sweet-scented flowers varying in color from yellow to orange and deep red. In Europe it very common on old walls. [1913 Webster]" The name is sometimes extended to other species ofCheiranthus and of the related genusErysimum , especially the AmericanWestern wallflower (Erysimum asperum ), a biennial herb with orange-yellow flowers." [1913 Webster] - A lady at a ball, who, either from choice, or because not asked to dance, remains a spectator. [1913 Webster]
- In Australia, the desert poison bush (
Gastrolobium grandiflorum ); -- called alsonative wallflower . [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
wallflower, n.
1 a a fragrant spring garden-plant, Cheiranthus cheiri, with esp. brown, yellow, or dark-red clustered flowers. b any of various flowering plants of the genus Cheiranthus or Erysimum, growing wild on old walls.
2 colloq. a neglected or socially awkward person, esp. a woman sitting out at a dance for lack of partners.
1 a a fragrant spring garden-plant, Cheiranthus cheiri, with esp. brown, yellow, or dark-red clustered flowers. b any of various flowering plants of the genus Cheiranthus or Erysimum, growing wild on old walls.
2 colloq. a neglected or socially awkward person, esp. a woman sitting out at a dance for lack of partners.
For further exploring for "wallflower" in Webster Dictionary Online