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primrose

(Science: botany) An early flowering plant of the genus primula (P. Vulgaris) closely allied to the cowslip. There are several varieties, as the white-, the red-, the yellow-flowered, etc. Formerly

Synonym: primerole, primerolles.

Any plant of the genus primula. Evening primrose, an erect biennial herb (Enothera biennis), with yellow vespertine flowers, common in the united states. The name is sometimes extended to other species of the same genus. Primrose peerless, the two-flowered narcissus (N. Biflorus).

Origin: OE. Primerole, F. Primerole, a derivative fr. LL. Primula, from L. Primus first. See Prime.