| 释义 |
ˈpassion-flower
[f. passion n. 1 + flower; in 16th c. L. flos passionis, Sp. flor de la pasion, F. fleur de la passion: see quot. 1885.]
The name of plants of the genus Passiflora, consisting mostly of climbing shrubs, many of which have an edible fruit; so called because the parts of the flower, etc., were fancifully thought to resemble the instruments of Christ's Passion, or suggest its attendant circumstances.
[1582Monardes Simplic. Medicament. ex Novo Orbe 16–17. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage viii. ii. 616 The flower of the Granadille they say..hath the marks of the Passion, Nailes, Pillar, Whippes, Thornes, Wounds.] 1633Johnson Gerarde's Herbal (1636) 1591 Maracoe or Passion Floure. The Spanish Friers for some imaginarie resemblances..first called it Flos Passionis. 1792M. Riddell Voy. Madeira 100 Three species of passion flowers are found in this island. 1833Whittier Toussaint L'Ouverture 17 The passion-flower, with symbol holy, Twining its tendrils long and lowly. 1885Encycl. Brit. XVIII. 343/1 The name passionflower—flos passionis—arose from the supposed resemblance of the corona to the crown of thorns, and of the other parts of the flower to the nails, or wounds, while the five sepals and five petals were taken to symbolize the ten apostles,—Peter..and Judas..being left out of the reckoning. |