cupid's-dart: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowSpecialist / Literary / Horticultural
Quick answer
What does “cupid's-dart” mean?
A perennial plant (Catananche caerulea) with blue, daisy-like flowers, native to the Mediterranean region.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A perennial plant (Catananche caerulea) with blue, daisy-like flowers, native to the Mediterranean region.
The plant's name derives from the classical belief that its flower was used by Cupid/Eros as an arrow tip to inspire love.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage; both refer to the same plant. Spelling of the possessive ('Cupid's' vs 'Cupids') may occasionally vary informally.
Connotations
In both varieties, the term evokes classical mythology and horticulture. Slightly more likely to be recognized in UK garden writing.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general language in both regions. Its use is confined to gardening contexts, seed catalogues, or literary allusions.
Grammar
How to Use “cupid's-dart” in a Sentence
[The] cupid's-dart [verb: grows/blooms/wilts]A bouquet of cupid's-dartPlanting cupid's-dart in well-drained soilVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cupid's-dart” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The gardener decided to cupid's-dart the border, adding a touch of mythic blue.
adjective
British English
- She preferred the cupid's-dart blue to the deeper shades of lavender.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in botanical texts or studies of classical reception in plant naming.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used in horticulture, specifically in plant taxonomy and gardening guides.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cupid's-dart”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cupid's-dart”
- Misspelling as 'Cupids dart' (without apostrophe), 'Cupid's-darts' (pluralizing the plant name incorrectly), or confusing it with other blue flowers like cornflower.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency term used almost exclusively in gardening and botanical contexts.
Only in a very poetic or deliberate metaphorical sense, as it is primarily the name of a specific plant.
The correct binomial nomenclature is Catananche caerulea.
In suitable climates (Mediterranean or similar), it is a drought-tolerant, sun-loving perennial, but this is horticultural advice, not linguistic.
A perennial plant (Catananche caerulea) with blue, daisy-like flowers, native to the Mediterranean region.
Cupid's-dart is usually specialist / literary / horticultural in register.
Cupid's-dart: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkjuː.pɪdz ˈdɑːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkjuː.pɪdz ˈdɑːrt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly; the name itself is a metaphorical idiom.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Cupid's dart is a plant that aims for the heart with its blue flowers, just like the god of love's arrow.'
Conceptual Metaphor
PLANT IS A WEAPON OF LOVE (A flower is conceptualized as the projectile of a love deity).
Practice
Quiz
In what primary context would you encounter the term 'cupid's-dart'?