Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun Any of various eastern Asian plants of the genus Aspidistra, especially A. elatior, which has large evergreen basal leaves and small, brownish bell-shaped flowers and is widely cultivated as a houseplant.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun any of several
Asian plants , of thegenus Aspidistra , having largeleaves and smallbell -shaped flowers ; widely cultivated as ahouseplant
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
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Examples
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_Aspidistra_ -- The aspidistra is the toughest of all foliage plants -- if not of all house plants.
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The office was small, windowless with cinderblock walls, minimally furnished with a battered desk, a few chairs, a repellent aspidistra.
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But even a potted aspidistra or two can make difference by oxygenating your workspace, whether you work at home or not.
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Gordon marries the mother-to-be of his child, takes the job at the New Albion, where he creates a successful ad campaign for foot deodorant, and even buys an aspidistra, the symbol he had long derided of “mingy lower-middle class decency,” installing it in the front window of their apartment for all the world to see.
Archive 2009-06-01 2009
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Gordon marries the mother-to-be of his child, takes the job at the New Albion, where he creates a successful ad campaign for foot deodorant, and even buys an aspidistra, the symbol he had long derided of “mingy lower-middle class decency,” installing it in the front window of their apartment for all the world to see.
On being a father 2009
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He watched proceedings from the aspidistra side, while they watched from the pillars.
Worldshaker Richard Harland 2009
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He watched proceedings from the aspidistra side, while they watched from the pillars.
Worldshaker Richard Harland 2009
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He reeks with emetic language that can only make grown men long for a quiet corner, an aspidistra, a handkerchief, and the old heave-ho.
Liberace…King of Glitter’s Museum sight-seer attraction in Vegas! « Julian Ayrs & Pop Culture 2008
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But even a potted aspidistra or two can make difference by oxygenating your workspace, whether you work at home or not.
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Knocking over two delicate tables and an aspidistra, he covered the floor between them in two strides and pulled Harry into a hug that nearly cracked his newly repaired ribs.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Rowling, J. K. 2007
reesetee commented on the word aspidistra
Keep it flying. :-)
November 21, 2007
gootnbewg commented on the word aspidistra
Used by George Orwell and Gracie Fields. Common in 19th century middle class England. Oh! It's a plant!
September 8, 2011