sowbread

noun

: a common wild cyclamen (Cyclamen europeaum) of central Europe having leaves that are dark green spotted with white above and carmine or white flowers : a related European herb (Cyclamen neapolitanum) often cultivated for its showy rose or white flowers

Word History

Etymology

sow entry 1 + bread; from the fact that its rootstocks are eaten by swine

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Cite this Entry

“Sowbread.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sowbread. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.

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