viooltjie, noun
/fiˈʊəlki/
- Forms:
- Also viooltje.
- Origin:
- South African Dutch, DutchShow more South African Dutch viooltje from Dutch viool violin + diminutive suffix -ie, named for the noise produced by the stalks when they are rubbed together (see quotation 1913).
Any of several plants which produce a noise when their stems rub together, especially species of Lachenalia and Ornithogalum. See also chincherinchee.
1975 A.A. Mauve in Std Encycl. of Sn Afr. XI. 249The name ‘viooltjie’ is sometimes wrongly applied to some bulbous Cape plants belonging to the lily family.., viz the genera Lachenalia and Ornithogalum.
Any of several plants which produce a noise when their stems rub together, especially species of Lachenalia and Ornithogalum.
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