Langimage
English

periwinkle

|per/i/win/kle|

B2

/ˈpɛrɪˌwɪŋkəl/

small marine snail; plant with blue flowers; pale blue color

Etymology
Etymology Information

'periwinkle' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'perwince,' where 'per-' meant 'through' and 'wince' referred to 'a plant.'

Historical Evolution

'perwince' changed from the Old English word 'perwince' and eventually became the modern English word 'periwinkle'.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it referred to a type of plant, but over time it evolved to include the color and marine snail meanings.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a small marine snail with a thick, spiral shell, often found in rocky coastal areas.

The periwinkle clung to the rocks as the tide came in.

Synonyms

Noun 2

a plant of the genus Vinca, known for its trailing habit and blue or purple flowers.

The garden was filled with the vibrant blooms of periwinkle.

Synonyms

Noun 3

a pale blue color, similar to the color of the periwinkle flower.

She wore a dress in a soft periwinkle shade.

Synonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/31 20:12