touch-me-not

noun

: either of two North American impatiens growing in moist areas: such as
a
: one (Impatiens capensis) typically having orange flowers spotted with reddish brown
b
: one (I. pallida) having typically yellow flowers sometimes spotted with reddish brown

Examples of touch-me-not in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The leaves and petals of the touch-me-not have been traditionally used by Korean girls and women to dye their fingernails in the summer, and there’s even a superstition that if there’s still some dye left on your fingernails by the time the first snow falls, then your first love will come true. Regina Kim, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

from the bursting of the ripe pods and scattering of their seeds when touched

First Known Use

1659, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of touch-me-not was in 1659

Dictionary Entries Near touch-me-not

Cite this Entry

“Touch-me-not.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/touch-me-not. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

touch-me-not

noun
ˈtəch-mē-ˌnät
: either of two North American impatiens that grow in moist areas
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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