primrose Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun any of numerous short-stemmed plants of the genus Primula having tufted basal leaves and showy flowers clustered in umbels or heads
    primula.

WordNet

Prim"rose` noun
Etymology
OE. primerole, F. primerole, a derivative fr. LL. primula, from L. primus first. See Prime, a.
Definitions
  1. (Bot.) (a) An early flowering plant of the genus Primula (P. vulgaris) closely allied to the cowslip. There are several varieties, as the white-, the red-, the yellow-flowered, etc. Formerly called also primerole, primerolles. (b) Any plant of the genus Primula.
Prim"rose` adjective
Definitions
  1. Of or pertaining to the primrose; of the color of a primrose; -- hence, flowery; gay. "The primrose path of dalliance." Shak.

Webster 1913