Home UK English passe-pierre

Meaning of passe-pierre in English:

passe-pierre

noun

  • Any of several herbaceous plants that grow on bare or rocky ground, including rock samphire, Crithmum maritimum, and (formerly) parsley piert, Aphanes arvensis.

Pronunciation

passe-pierre

/ˌpaspɪˈɛː/ /ˌpasˈpjɛː/

Origin

Late 16th century; earliest use found in Household Books James VI & Anne. From Middle French passe-pierre rock samphire, saxifrage (although this is first attested slightly later: 1615) from passe- + pierre stone.