any tropical American bignoniaceous climbing shrub of the genus Bignonia (or Doxantha), cultivated for their trumpet-shaped yellow or reddish flowers
See also cross vine
Word origin
C19: from New Latin, named after the Abbé Jean-Paul Bignon (1662–1743)
bignonia in American English
(bɪgˈnoʊniə)
noun
1.
a tropical American evergreen vine (Bignonia capreolata) of the bignonia family that bears tendrils, compound leaves, and trumpet-shaped, yellow or reddish flowers
adjective
2.
designating a family (Bignoniaceae, order Scrophulariales) of dicotyledonous trees, shrubs, andwoody vines
Word origin
after the Abbé Bignon (1662-1743), librarian to Louis2 (sense 8)