zinniahttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zinnia_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezinnia, n.
Revised 2021

zinnianoun

  1. 1761–
    Any of various plants comprising the genus Zinnia (family Asteraceae), native to grassland and scrub from South America to the south-western United States; esp. any of various hybrids and cultivars, derived mainly from Z. elegans of Mexico, widely grown as garden plants for their brightly coloured flowers. Also: a flower of such a plant.
    1. 1761
      This is the Zinnia of late writers.
      J. Hill, Vegetable System vol. II. iii. iii. 65
    2. 1782
      Of the hardier kinds of annual plants... The principal sorts are..alkekengi or winter-cherry, tobacco plant, zinnia, Indian corn.
      J. Abercrombie, Every Man his Own Gardener (ed. 9) 197
    3. 1860
      The Zinnia, after years of cultivation with very little success in changing it from its single habit, has at last rewarded the florist's care, by donning full flowing suit equal to the Dahlia.
      American Agriculturist vol. 19 367/1
    4. 1885
      They visited the flower-market..and purchased zinias..to decorate the folds of their togas.
      W. Pater, Marius the Epicurean vol. I. xi. 187
    5. 1910
      The hot and scentless glare of zinnias and dahlias.
      Nation 13 August 702/1
    6. 2004
      She replaced zinnias in the cutting garden with orange tithonia.
      House Beautiful April 114

zinnia, n. was revised in March 2021.

zinnia, n. was last modified in July 2023.