marvel-of-peru: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / Rare / SpecialisedSpecialised / Botanical / Literary
Quick answer
What does “marvel-of-peru” mean?
A brightly coloured flowering plant (Mirabilis jalapa) whose flowers open in the late afternoon.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A brightly coloured flowering plant (Mirabilis jalapa) whose flowers open in the late afternoon.
The term is primarily used for this specific ornamental garden plant. By extension, it can metaphorically refer to something that shows its true beauty or nature late or unexpectedly.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood in both varieties but is equally rare. The common name 'four o'clock flower' is more frequent in American English.
Connotations
In both varieties, it may sound poetic, antiquated, or specifically botanical.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both, primarily found in gardening contexts, old literature, or plant catalogs.
Grammar
How to Use “marvel-of-peru” in a Sentence
[The] + marvel-of-peru + [verb e.g., blooms, opens, grows][Adjective e.g., beautiful, common, tall] + marvel-of-peruVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “marvel-of-peru” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not used as a verb.)
American English
- (Not used as a verb.)
adverb
British English
- (Not used as an adverb.)
American English
- (Not used as an adverb.)
adjective
British English
- (Not used as an adjective.)
American English
- (Not used as an adjective.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Only in specific botanical or horticultural texts.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Possibly used by keen gardeners.
Technical
Used as a common name for Mirabilis jalapa in botany and horticulture.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “marvel-of-peru”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “marvel-of-peru”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “marvel-of-peru”
- Misspelling: 'marvel-of-peru' (correct hyphenation) vs. 'marvel of Peru' (less standard).
- Capitalisation: 'Marvel-of-Peru' is sometimes seen, but lower-case is standard for common plant names.
- Confusing it with other evening-blooming plants like 'evening primrose'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they are common names for the same plant species, Mirabilis jalapa.
It is very rare. Most people would say 'four o'clock flower' or not know the plant by any name.
The name likely originates from its introduction to Europe from the Americas (though not exclusively Peru) and its 'marvellous' colourful and fragrant blooms.
Yes, in standard botanical and dictionary references, it is hyphenated: 'marvel-of-peru'.
A brightly coloured flowering plant (Mirabilis jalapa) whose flowers open in the late afternoon.
Marvel-of-peru is usually specialised / botanical / literary in register.
Marvel-of-peru: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɑːv(ə)l əv pəˈruː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɑːrvəl əv pəˈruː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated. May be used in metaphorical constructions: 'He was a marvel-of-peru, revealing his talents only in the evening.'”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a MARVEL from PERU that appears every day at four o'clock. The plant is a marvel, and its name suggests an exotic (Peruvian) origin.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOMETHING VALUABLE/INTERESTING IS A MARVEL; LATE REVELATION IS AN EVENING BLOOM.
Practice
Quiz
What is a primary characteristic of the marvel-of-peru plant?