periwinkle
periwinkle Lexical Profile
periwinkle Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Having a pale purplish-blue color.
"She selected a delicate periwinkle dress for the spring garden party."
• noun
A pale purplish-blue color, taking its name from the distinctive flower of the periwinkle plant.
"The interior designer recommended painting the nursery a soothing shade of periwinkle."
A trailing or creeping evergreen plant of the genus Vinca, native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia, characterized by glossy leaves and pale purplish-blue flowers.
"The landscaper planted periwinkle as a hardy ground cover in the shaded areas beneath the oak trees."
A small edible marine snail of the family Littorinidae, possessing a thick, cone-shaped shell and commonly found clinging to rocks in intertidal coastal zones.
"During low tide, the children spent the afternoon exploring the rock pools and gathering periwinkles."
Word Origin & Etymology
The word has two distinct origins: the plant name comes from Old English 'peruince' (from Latin 'pervinca'), while the marine snail name derives from Old English 'pīnewincle', combining Latin 'pina' (mussel) and Old English 'wincel' (corner or shell).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.