passionflower

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English[edit]

Passiflora murucuja, a passionflower of Hispaniola

Alternative forms[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Calque of Italian fior della Passione or Latin flōs Passiōnis; after the appearance and number of its various parts, thought to be symbolic of Christ's passion.

Pronunciation[edit]

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Noun[edit]

passionflower (plural passionflowers)

  1. Any of very many vines, in North America and elsewhere, of the genus Passiflora that bear edible fruit called passion fruit, and showy flowers of a structure symbolic of the Passion of Christ.
    • 1810-19, Robert Southey, History of Brazil:
      The Priests observed frequent fasts, and abstained at all times from certain animals and fruits, especially from the Granadilla, the fruit of the Passion-flower, because, say the lying Jesuits, of the mysteries which are signified in that marvellous blossom []
  2. The flower of this plant.

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