primrose的词源

英文词源

primrose (n.)

late 14c., prymrose, from Old French primerose, primerole (12c.) and directly from Medieval Latin prima rosa, literally "first rose," so called because it blooms early in spring (see prime (adj.)). As the name of a pale yellow color, by 1844.

Parallel name primula (c. 1100) is from Old French primerole, from Medieval Latin primula "primrose," shortened from primula veris "firstling of spring," thus properly fem. of Latin primulus, diminutive of primus; but primerole was used in Old French and Middle English of other flowers (cowslips, field daisies). The primrose path is from "Hamlet" I, iii.

中文词源

primrose：报春花，樱草花

在中世纪原作primerose，系直接借自古法语primerose，而法语形式则源于拉丁语prima rosa，因此含first rose乏意，汉语作“报春花”或“樱草花”。可是primrose并不是一种rose（蔷薇科植物），也不是春天最早开花的植物（first flowers)之一，据认为此花名系讹误使然。

该词的英语词源请访问趣词词源英文版：primrose 词源，primrose 含义。

primrose：报春花

来自prime,第一的，最初的，rose,玫瑰。字面意思即最早开的玫瑰花，因这种花于早春开花而得名。