dandelion
UK: ˈdændɪlaɪən | US: ˈdændɪlaɪən
n. A common wild plant with bright yellow flowers and toothed leaves, whose seeds are dispersed by wind.
dandelion = dent<tooth> + de<of> + lion<lion>
- dent (from Latin dens, meaning "tooth")
- de (from Old French de, meaning "of")
- lion (from Latin leo, meaning "lion")
Etymology Origin:
The word "dandelion" originates from the Old French dent de lion ("lion's tooth"), referring to the plant's jagged, tooth-like leaves. The name was later anglicized to "dandelion." The comparison to a lion’s teeth highlights the plant’s distinctive leaf shape, while the whimsical association with a lion adds vividness to its folk etymology.
Children love blowing the fluffy seeds of a dandelion to make a wish.
The meadow was dotted with yellow dandelions in spring.
Herbalists use dandelion roots to make detoxifying teas.
A single dandelion can produce hundreds of airborne seeds.
He plucked a dandelion from the lawn and examined its serrated leaves.