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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). [Obs.]

So called because primrose was (erroneously, it is said) taken to be the favorite flower of the Conservative statesman Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield.

A species of Primula, or primrose, called also, from the shape of its leaves, bear's-ear. (b)

A kind of primrose (Primula auricula), so called from the shape of the leaf.

A plant with a small bright flower, as the Adonis or pheasant's eye, the mealy primrose (Primula farinosa), and species of Veronica, Geranium, etc.

A genus of plants of the Primrose family, having depressed rounded corms, and pretty nodding flowers with the petals so reflexed as to point upwards, whence it is called rabbit's ears. It is also called sow bread, because hogs are said to eat the corms.

resembling Honiton guipure. It is worked with fine thread in large sprays, usually of the primrose pattern, with much raised work.

A species of primrose. See Auricula.

ives rein to lust; a rake; a debauchee. Like a puffed and reckless libertine, Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads. Shak.

or Onagrarieæ), which includes the fuchsia, the willow- herb (Epilobium), and the evening primrose ().

A species of Primula, either the cowslip or the primrose. [Written also pagle, pagil, peagle, and pygil.]

See Primrose. [Obs.] "She was a primerole." Chaucer.

The genus of plants including the primrose (Primula vera).

Of or pertaining to an order of herbaceous plants (Primulaceæ), of which the primrose is the type, and the pimpernel, the cyclamen, and the water violet are other examples.

Coming before others, or before the usual time; early. [Obs. or Poetic] Bring the rathe primrose that forsaken dies. Milton.

A plant of the genus Soldanella, low Alpine herbs of the Primrose family.

A yellow flowered evening primrose (Taraxia, syn. Onothera, ovata) native of California.

several species of Kneiffia, esp. K. fruticosa (syn. Onothera fruticosa), of the Evening-primrose family, having flowers that open by daylight.

rs raised above the stigma, and visible at the throat of the corolla, as in long-stamened primroses; -- the reverse of pin-eyed.