Evening primrose

evening primrose
    n 1: any of several plants of the family Onagraceae
    

Primrose \Prim"rose`\, n. [OE. primerole, F. primerole, a
   derivative fr. LL. primula, from L. primus first. See
   {Prime}, a.] (Bot.)
   (a) An early flowering plant of the genus {Primula} ({Primula
       vulgaris}) closely allied to the cowslip. There are
       several varieties, as the white-, the red-, the
       yellow-flowered, etc. Formerly called also {primerole},
       {primerolles}.
   (b) Any plant of the genus {Primula}.
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   {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 ({Narcissus
      biflorus}). [Obs.]
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Evening \E"ven*ing\, n. [AS. [=ae]fnung. See {even}, n., and cf.
   {Eve}.]
   1. The latter part and close of the day, and the beginning of
      darkness or night; properly, the decline of the day, or of
      the sun.
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            In the ascending scale
            Of heaven, the stars that usher evening rose.
                                                  --Milton.
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   Note: Sometimes, especially in the Southern parts of the
         United States, the afternoon is called evening.
         --Bartlett.
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   2. The latter portion, as of life; the declining period, as
      of strength or glory.
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   Note: Sometimes used adjectively; as, evening gun. "Evening
         Prayer." --Shak.
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   {Evening flower} (Bot.), a genus of iridaceous plants
      ({Hesperantha}) from the Cape of Good Hope, with
      sword-shaped leaves, and sweet-scented flowers which
      expand in the evening.

   {Evening grosbeak} (Zo["o]l.), an American singing bird
      ({Coccothraustes vespertina}) having a very large bill.
      Its color is olivaceous, with the crown, wings, and tail
      black, and the under tail coverts yellow. So called
      because it sings in the evening.

   {Evening primrose}. See under {Primrose}.

   {The evening star}, the bright star of early evening in the
      western sky, soon passing below the horizon; specifically,
      the planet Venus; -- called also {Vesper} and {Hesperus}.
      During portions of the year, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn are
      also evening stars. See {Morning Star}.
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