polyanthus

See also: polyanthous

English

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Etymology

From Renaissance Latin polyanthus, corresponding to poly- +‎ Ancient Greek ἄνθος (ánthos, “flower”).

Noun

polyanthus (plural polyanthuses or polyanthi)

1. A type of primula, apparently originally from a hybrid between the cowslip and the primrose, having many different-coloured flowers. [from 17th c.]
   • 1793 February 27, Hester Piozzi, Thraliana:

     [T]he Hens all want to sit, the Primroses Polyanthuses &c crowd the Hedges; & a Rose Tree or two are quite full of Leaves.

   • 1842, [Katherine] Thomson, chapter X, in Widows and Widowers. A Romance of Real Life., volume II, London: Richard Bentley, […], →OCLC, pages 227–228:

     No cottage in Coughton boasted taller hollyhocks, nor finer Michaelmas daisies in the autumn than Dame Magdalen’s almshouses; and even now, at this early season, well cared-for stocks, and rich polyanthuses might excite the envy of more scientific but less successful gardeners.

Latin

Etymology

From Ancient Greek πολυ- (polu-) + ἄνθος (ánthos).

Pronunciation

• (Classical Latin) IPA^(key): [pɔ.lyˈan.tʰʊs]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): [po.liˈan.tus]

Adjective

polyanthus (feminine polyantha, neuter polyanthum); first/second-declension adjective

1. (New Latin) Having many flowers

Declension

First/second-declension adjective.

	singular				plural
	masculine	feminine	neuter		masculine	feminine	neuter
nominative	polyanthus	polyantha	polyanthum		polyanthī	polyanthae	polyantha
genitive	polyanthī	polyanthae	polyanthī		polyanthōrum	polyanthārum	polyanthōrum
dative	polyanthō	polyanthae	polyanthō		polyanthīs
accusative	polyanthum	polyantham	polyanthum		polyanthōs	polyanthās	polyantha
ablative	polyanthō	polyanthā	polyanthō		polyanthīs
vocative	polyanthe	polyantha	polyanthum		polyanthī	polyanthae	polyantha