‖ sempervivum
(sɛmpəˈvaɪvəm)
[L. sempervīvum neut. of sempervīvus ever-living. The fem. sempervīva (sc. herba) was also used.]
a. The houseleek. b. A genus (Linnæus 1737) of crassulaceous plants containing the houseleek, S. tectorum and about 50 other species; a plant of this genus.
| 1591 Percyvall Span. Dict., Yerva puntera, semper⁓uiuum, Aizous. 1655 Fuller Hist. Cambr. 134 Two Serpents, erected, azure,..having a branch of semper vivum proper betwixt their heads. 1666 J. Davies tr. Rochefort's Caribby Isl. 62 Semper-vivum. There are in these Islands several kinds of Herbs that never dye or wither. 1882 Garden 3 June 306/1 To see the pleasing tints and forms of the Sempervivums at the present season makes one wonder why these plants are not grown in every rock garden. |