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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.

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 common flower in England (Primula veris) having yellow blossoms and appearing in early spring. It is often cultivated in the United States.

; -- used for drawing lines on cloth, etc. See under Chalk. -- French cowslip (Bot.) The Primula Auricula. See Bear's-ear. -- French fake (Naut.), a mode of coiling a rope by running it backward and forward in parallel bends, so that it may run freely. -- French honeysuckle (Bot.) a plant of the genus Hedysarum (H.…

The great cowslip (Primula veris, var. elatior).

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

The cowslip (Primula veris); -- so called from its supposed remedial powers. Dr. Prior.

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 called also primerole, primerolles.