ˈsweet ˈpea
a. The common name of Lathyrus odoratus, a climbing annual leguminous plant, indigenous to Sicily, cultivated in numerous varieties for its showy variously-coloured sweet-scented flowers; formerly called sweet-scented pea (see sweet-scented b).
| 1732 R. Furber Flower Gard. Displ. 57 Purple Sweet Pea. This is what we call the Sweet-scented Pea. 1816 Keats ‘I stood tip-toe upon a little hill’ 57 Here are sweet peas, on tip-toe for a flight. |
b. The scent of the sweet pea, esp. as used in cosmetics, etc.
| 1890–1 T. Eaton & Co. Catal. Fall & Winter 42/2 Colgate's perfumes—white rose, sweet pea, Cashmere bouquet. c 1938 Fortnum & Mason Catal. 54/1 Soaps..sandal wood..sweet pea..verbena. 1972 [see lilac 2 c]. |