Dutchman's-breeches

noun

Dutch·​man's-breech·​es ˌdəch-mənz-ˈbri-chəz How to pronounce Dutchman's-breeches (audio)
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
: a spring-flowering herb (Dicentra cucullaria) of the fumitory family occurring in the eastern U.S. and having finely divided leaves and cream-white double-spurred flowers

Illustration of Dutchman's-breeches

Illustration of dutchman's-breeches

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Dutchman's-breeches was in 1837

Dictionary Entries Near Dutchman's-breeches

Cite this Entry

“Dutchman's-breeches.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Dutchman%27s-breeches. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

Dutchman's-breeches

plural noun
Dutch·​man's-breech·​es
ˌdəch-mənz-ˈbrich-əz
: a delicate spring-flowering herb of the eastern U.S. resembling the related bleeding heart but having cream-white flowers with two spurs

Medical Definition

Dutchman's-breeches

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction
Dutch·​man's-breech·​es ˌdəch-mənz-ˈbrich-əz How to pronounce Dutchman's-breeches (audio)
: a delicate spring-flowering herb (Dicentra cucullaria of the family Fumariaceae) that occurs in the eastern United States and has tubers that are a source of corydalis

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