lupine
lupine Lexical Profile
lupine Game Scores & Validity
• noun
North American A leguminous plant of the genus Lupinus, native primarily to North and South America, characterized by deeply divided leaves and tall, colorful spikes of flowers.
"The mountain meadows were covered in vibrant purple and yellow lupines after the spring thaw."
• adjective
Of, relating to, or possessing the characteristics of a wolf or wolves; wolf-like.
"He flashed a lupine grin that made the other guests feel instantly uneasy."
Word Nuance & Usage
When used as a noun to describe the flower, it is frequently spelled 'lupin' in British English. As an adjective meaning wolf-like, it is primarily found in literary or zoological contexts.
• Rhymes for lupine
Word Origin & Etymology
From Latin 'lupinus' (of a wolf), from 'lupus' (wolf). The plant was historically, though incorrectly, believed to ravenously deplete the soil of nutrients, much like a wolf devours its prey.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.