wallflower

Definition

Any of several short-lived herbs or shrubs of the Erysimum genus with bright yellow to red flowers.

Etymology

From wall + flower.

Example Sentences

• "A polypetalous corolla is either cruciform, as in a wall-flower, rosaceous, papilionaceous, as in the pea kind, or incomplete, when some parts found in analogous flowers are wanting."
• "Mrs. Galbraith shook all over with laughter as she replied, "Hear that boy, asking me to dance ! I'm content to be a wallflower, now-a-days.""
• "And now, by virtue of his office, he is entitled to a seat in the Grand Lodge. Is it any wonder he is a wall-flower there […]"