periwinkle etymology

Etymology:

• Old English "pervinke," from Late Latin "pervinca," from Latin "perviridis," meaning "evergreen."

Meaning:

Periwinkle refers to any of several trailing or upright, evergreen plants of the genus Vinca, belonging to the family Apocynaceae.

Origin:

The genus Vinca is native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. It was introduced to North America in the 17th century and has since become naturalized in many regions.

Specific Etymological Notes:

• The Latin word "perviridis" is derived from the Latin prefix "per-" (meaning "throughout") and the adjective "viridis" (meaning "green").
• The name "periwinkle" alludes to the plant's evergreen foliage, which retains its green color throughout the year.
• In some regions, periwinkle is also known as "myrtle" or "common myrtle." This name stems from an ancient belief that periwinkle was a type of myrtle, which was sacred to Aphrodite (Venus), the Greek goddess of love.

periwinkle relate terms

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• Wend

  Etymology The word wend derives from the Proto Slavic root vędъ which means people

• wander

  Etymology Old English wanderian from Proto Germanic wandrjaną to wander Relate

• wink

  Etymology The word wink is derived from the Old English word wincian which means to

• herb

  Etymology The word herb originates from the Latin word herba which means green plan

• myrtle

  Etymology The word myrtle comes from the Latin myrtus which is in turn derived from

• welkin

  Etymology Middle English welken from Old English wolcen from Proto Germanic wulknō

• rose

  Etymology Middle English rose from Anglo Norman rose from Old French rose from Lati

• maid

  Etymology The word maid comes from the Old English word mægden meaning young woma

• chronicle

• peculiar

  Etymology Latin peculiaris meaning one s own special private From Latin pecus