snapdragon
snapdragon Lexical Profile
snapdragon Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Any of various herbaceous plants of the genus Antirrhinum (especially A. majus), native to the Mediterranean region, widely cultivated in gardens for their tall spikes of brightly colored, two-lipped flowers that resemble a dragon's face.
"We planted a vibrant border of snapdragons and marigolds along the front walkway to attract summer pollinators."
British A traditional winter parlor game, popular in England from the 16th to the 19th century, in which players attempt to snatch raisins from a bowl of burning brandy and eat them while still alight.
"In Agatha Christie's novel, the characters gather in a darkened room on Christmas Eve to play a thrilling and slightly dangerous game of snapdragon."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the late 16th century by combining 'snap' and 'dragon', a descriptive name reflecting the flower's resemblance to a dragon's face and its ability to 'snap' open and shut like a mouth when squeezed laterally.