a S European primulaceous plant, Cyclamen hederifolium, with heart-shaped leaves and pink nodding flowers
See also cyclamen (sense 1)
Word origin
C16: from sow2 + bread, based on Medieval Latin panis porcinus; the tuberous roots are eaten by swine
sowbread in American English
(ˈsauˌbred)
noun
any of several species of cyclamen, esp. Cyclamen hederifolium, a low-growing Old World plant having mottled leaves and pink or white flowers
Word origin
[1540–50; sow2 + bread; so called because the roots are sought after by hogs]This word is first recorded in the period 1540–50. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: cabinet, flare, gondola, machine, vacuum