African violet

noun

: any of several tropical African gesneriads (especially Streptocarpus ionanthus synonym Saintpaulia ionantha) widely grown as houseplants for their velvety fleshy leaves and showy purple, pink, or white flowers

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1897, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of African violet was circa 1897

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“African violet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/African%20violet. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.

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