SAMPHIRE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does samphire mean? 

• SAMPHIRE (noun)
  The noun SAMPHIRE has 1 sense:

1. fleshy maritime plant having fleshy stems with rudimentary scalelike leaves and small spikes of minute flowers; formerly used in making glass

  Familiarity information: SAMPHIRE used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SAMPHIRE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Fleshy maritime plant having fleshy stems with rudimentary scalelike leaves and small spikes of minute flowers; formerly used in making glass

Classified under:

Nouns denoting plants

Synonyms:

glasswort; Salicornia europaea; samphire

Hypernyms ("samphire" is a kind of...):

herb; herbaceous plant (a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests)

Holonyms ("samphire" is a member of...):

genus Salicornia; Salicornia (glassworts)

 Context examples 

"Aunt March is a regular samphire, is she not?" observed Amy, tasting her mixture critically.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

"Don't say 'larks!'" implored Amy, as a return snub for the 'samphire' correction.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)