Geranium

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /dʒəˈɹeɪni.əm/

Definitions

1. A genus characterized by various species that feature colorful flowers, often enjoyed for their ornamental appeal in both gardens and containers
2. This particular flowering plant genus includes many species celebrated for their attractive flowers, commonly used to enhance aesthetic appeal in landscapes and containers
3. A genus of flowering plants known for vibrant blooms and often cultivated for decorative purposes in gardens and pots

Etymology: The geranium is named for a bird. The Ancient Greek "gerănion" was a diminutive of "gerănos", meaning "crane", and the plant got its name because its long, slender seed capsule was thought to resemble a crane's beak. The diminutive ending "-ion" marks it as a little crane, or crane-like thing. The plant was classified by Linnaeus and the genus that bears its name came into English through Latin "geranium", which simply carried the Greek word over unchanged. Anyone who has split open a geranium seedpod has seen the resemblance: the seed head stretches into a pointed beak that, on some species, coils up when ripe.

Synonyms: flower, plant, herb, bloomer, blossom