bachelor's button
    n 1: an annual Eurasian plant cultivated in North America having
         showy heads of blue or purple or pink or white flowers
         [syn: cornflower, bachelor's button, bluebottle,
         Centaurea cyanus]
    2: tropical American herb having rose to red or purple flowers
       that can be dried without losing color [syn: globe
       amaranth, bachelor's button, Gomphrena globosa]

Bachelor's button \Bach"e*lor's but"ton\, (Bot.)
   A plant with flowers shaped like buttons; especially, several
   species of Ranunculus, and the cornflower (Centaurea
   cyanus) and globe amaranth (Gomphrena).
   [1913 Webster]

   Note: Bachelor's buttons, a name given to several flowers
         "from their similitude to the jagged cloathe buttons,
         anciently worne in this kingdom," according to
         Johnson's --Gerarde, p. 472 (1633); but by other
         writers ascribed to "a habit of country fellows to
         carry them in their pockets to divine their success
         with their sweethearts." --Dr. Prior.
         [1913 Webster]

Bluebottle \Blue"bot`tle\, blue-bottle \blue-bottle\, n.
   1. (Bot.) an annual Eurasian plant (Centaurea cyanus) which
      grows in grain fields; -- called also bachelor's button.
      It receives its name from its blue bottle-shaped flowers.
      Varieties cultivated in North America have showy heads of
      blue or purple or pink or white flowers

   Syn: cornflower, bachelor's button.
        [1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5]

   2. (Zool.) A large and troublesome species of blowfly (Musca
      vomitoria). Its body is steel blue.
      [1913 Webster]