orpine

noun

or·​pine ˈȯr-pən How to pronounce orpine (audio)
: an herb (Hylotelephium telephium synonym Sedum telephium of the family Crassulaceae, the orpine family) that has fleshy leaves and pink or purple flowers and was formerly used in folk medicine
broadly : sedum

Word History

Etymology

Middle English orpin, from Anglo-French, from orpiment

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of orpine was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near orpine

Cite this Entry

“Orpine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orpine. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on orpine

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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