crown imperial: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, Literary, Horticultural
Quick answer
What does “crown imperial” mean?
A tall, showy spring-blooming bulbous plant (Fritillaria imperialis) with a cluster of bell-shaped flowers and a tuft of leaves atop a strong stem.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A tall, showy spring-blooming bulbous plant (Fritillaria imperialis) with a cluster of bell-shaped flowers and a tuft of leaves atop a strong stem.
The term can be used figuratively to denote supreme excellence or regal splendor in a given field, evoking the plant's majestic and commanding appearance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. The plant name is identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotations are identical: grandeur, antiquity (often found in old gardens), and a slightly formal/old-fashioned tone.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects, confined to gardening contexts and literary prose.
Grammar
How to Use “crown imperial” in a Sentence
The [ADJECTIVE] crown imperial [VERB] in the border.A row of crown imperials [VERB] the path.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crown imperial” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The crown imperial lilies were a stunning sight.
- She cultivated a crown imperial display.
American English
- The crown imperial fritillaries stood guard by the door.
- He ordered crown imperial bulbs for fall planting.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in botanical texts and horticultural studies.
Everyday
Rare, only among keen gardeners.
Technical
Standard Latin binomial (Fritillaria imperialis) is preferred in scientific contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “crown imperial”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “crown imperial”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crown imperial”
- Using it as a general term for a royal crown. Confusing it with 'crown' alone. Misspelling as 'crown imperiel' or 'imperial crown'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. An 'imperial crown' is a type of royal crown. 'Crown imperial' is almost exclusively the name of a plant (Fritillaria imperialis).
Yes, but it is very rare and literary. It would be understood as describing something of supreme, majestic quality in its field, e.g., 'the crown imperial of Renaissance poetry'.
In British English: /ˌkraʊn ɪmˈpɪəriəl/. In American English: /ˌkraʊn ɪmˈpɪriəl/. The main difference is in the vowel of the second syllable ('peer' vs. 'pir').
No. It is a low-frequency term known mainly to gardeners, botanists, and readers of classical or horticultural literature.
A tall, showy spring-blooming bulbous plant (Fritillaria imperialis) with a cluster of bell-shaped flowers and a tuft of leaves atop a strong stem.
Crown imperial is usually formal, literary, horticultural in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None in common usage. The phrase itself is occasionally used metaphorically: 'the crown imperial of her achievements'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a royal crown placed imperiously on top of a tall, flowering scepter in a spring garden.
Conceptual Metaphor
PLANTS ARE ROYALTY / EXCELLENCE IS HEIGHT AND MAJESTY
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for using the term 'crown imperial'?