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Definition of dames rocket
dames rocket
Plural:dame's rockets
dames rocket Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
10
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A tall, short-lived perennial herbaceous flowering plant (Hesperis matronalis) in the mustard family (Brassicaceae), native to Eurasia and widely naturalized in North America, bearing showy terminal clusters of fragrant four-petaled blossoms in shades of violet, purple, pink, or white.
Example
"Along the shaded woodland edge, clusters of dame's rocket released a sweet, clove-like fragrance into the evening air."
Word Nuance & Usage
Because of its showy spring blooms, dame's rocket is frequently mistaken for native wild phlox; however, dame's rocket has four petals per flower and alternating leaves, whereas phlox has five petals and opposite leaves.
• Nearby Words
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Dames rocket. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/dames rocket