Dutchman's-breeches

noun

Dutch·​man's-breech·​es ˌdəch-mənz-ˈbri-chəz 

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

: a spring-flowering herb (Dicentra cucullaria) of the fumitory family occurring in the eastern U.S. and having finely divided leaves and cream-white double-spurred flowers

Illustration of Dutchman's-breeches

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

Dutchman's-breeches

plural noun

Dutch·​man's-breech·​es

ˌdəch-mənz-ˈbrich-əz

: a delicate spring-flowering herb of the eastern U.S. resembling the related bleeding heart but having cream-white flowers with two spurs

Medical Definition

Dutchman's-breeches

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction

Dutch·​man's-breech·​es ˌdəch-mənz-ˈbrich-əz 

: a delicate spring-flowering herb (Dicentra cucullaria of the family Fumariaceae) that occurs in the eastern United States and has tubers that are a source of corydalis