‖ œnothera Bot.
(iːnəʊˈθɪərə, commonly iːˈnɒθərə)
[L. œnothēra, a. Gr. οἰνοθήρας, name of some plant, f. οἶνος wine + -θήρας -catcher: commonly taken as = ‘wine-trap’ (see quots.); but some Gr. authors have the name as ὀνοθήρας ass-catcher (in Pliny onothēra); another name was ὀνάγρα = ass-trap.]
The typical genus of Onagraceæ, comprising plants (chiefly natives of America) with large handsome flowers, yellow, white, or purple, in some species opening in the evening; commonly called evening primrose.
| 1601 Holland Pliny II. 259 Likewise Oenothera, otherwise named Onuris,..an herb good also in wine to make the heart merry. 1788 Rees Cycl., Primrose, night or tree, œnothera. 1817 J. Bradbury Trav. Amer. 82 A number of large white flowers..belonging to a species of oenothera. 18.. Baird in Worcester Dict. s.v., The roots of the species Oenothera biennis are eatable, and were formerly taken after dinner to flavor wine, as olives now are; hence the name Œnothera, or wine-trap. 1863 J. Surat Life in South II. 304 Splendid phloxes, œnotheras, mimosas. |