Dutchman's breeches

noun

Etymology

In the case of the plants, named because their flower petals resemble baggy pants worn by Dutch settlers to North America (compare slops, knickerbockers).

Definitions

  1. A plant of the species Dicentra cucullaria, native to eastern North America and the…

    A plant of the species Dicentra cucullaria, native to eastern North America and the Columbia River basin.

  2. A plant of the species Lamprocapnos spectabilis, formerly Dicentra spectabilis, similar…

    A plant of the species Lamprocapnos spectabilis, formerly Dicentra spectabilis, similar to D. cucullaria, but red or pink.

  3. Something proverbially blue, used in phrases relating to a clear blue sky, as in "enough…

    Something proverbially blue, used in phrases relating to a clear blue sky, as in "enough blue sky to make [or patch] a Dutchman's breeches", etc.

  4. + 1 more definition
    1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically

      Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see Dutchman, -'s, breeches.

      • A Dutchman's breeches, in full taste, / Two contrasted extremes divide; / Buttons, like platters, at the waist, / And studs, like peas, along the side.
      • Up went the jib and then the mainsail. Being home-made, they hung baggy as a Dutchman's breeches, but when I cast off the mooring lines the breeze blew out the wrinkles and everything was fine.

The neighborhood

Vish — recursive loop

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sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA