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Definition of silene

silene

/saɪˈliːniː/
si · le · ne
Plural:silenes
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silene Lexical Profile

silene Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Any plant of the large botanical genus Silene in the pink family (Caryophyllaceae), typically characterized by swollen calyxes and often sticky stems, commonly referred to as campions or catchflies.

Example

"The botanist cataloged a rare species of silene blooming on the rocky alpine slopes."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for silene

• Rhymes for silene

• Nearby Words

signboard
significatrix
signpost
silene
silk
silk tree
silktassel

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 from Modern Latin 'Silene'. It is likely derived from the Greek mythological figure 'Silenus', who was often covered in foam, or from the Greek word 'sialon' (saliva), referencing the sticky, viscid secretion found on the stems of many species in this genus.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Silene. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 15, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/silene
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