Crossword clues for aspidistra
aspidistra
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
The Collaborative International Dictionary
aspidistra \aspidistra\ n. 1. 1 an evergreen perennial ( Aspidistra elatio) with large handsome basal leaves; grown primarily as a foliage houseplant.
Syn: cast-iron plant, bar-room plant
Wiktionary
n. any of several Asian plants, of the genus ''Aspidistra'', having large leaves and small bell-shaped flowers; widely cultivated as a houseplant
WordNet
n. evergreen perennial with large handsome basal leaves; grown primarily as a foliage houseplant [syn: cast-iron plant, bar-room plant, Aspidistra elatio]
Wikipedia
Aspidistra is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Nolinoideae, native to eastern and southeastern Asia, particularly China and Vietnam. They grow in shade under trees and shrubs. Their leaves arise more or less directly from ground level, where their flowers also appear. The number of species known has increased considerably from the 1980s onwards, with around 100 accepted . Aspidistra elatior is common worldwide as a foliage house plant that is very tolerant of neglect. It and other species can also be grown in shade outside, where they are generally hardy to .
Aspidistra is a plant genus (from the Greek aspidion, a small round shield).
Aspidistra may also refer to:
- Aspidistra elatior, an Aspidistra species used as a houseplant
- Aspidistra (transmitter), a radio transmitter codenamed Aspidistra and used by Britain in the Second World War to beam propaganda to Germany
- An Aspidistra in Babylon, novel by H. E. Bates
- Keep the Aspidistra Flying, novel by George Orwell
Aspidistra was a British medium wave radio transmitter used for black propaganda and military deception purposes against Nazi Germany during World War II. At one time, it was the most powerful broadcast transmitter in the world. (The contemporary German Goliath transmitter was more powerful, but used only for radiotelegraphy.) Its name - after the popular foliage houseplant - was inspired by the comic song The Biggest Aspidistra in the World, best known as sung by Gracie Fields.
The transmitter was installed in 1942 at a purpose-built site near Crowborough in southeast England. This was equipped with other medium wave and short wave transmitters, which also used the Aspidistra name, being known as ASPI 2, ASPI 3, ASPI 4, etc. However, when the name Aspidistra was used on its own it always referred to the original medium wave transmitter (ASPI 1).
After the war, Aspidistra and other transmitters at Crowborough were used for BBC External Service broadcasts to Europe. The station closed in 1982.
Usage examples of "aspidistra".
Mr Puffett, who all this time had remained discreetly withdrawn and was, at the moment, assisting Crutchley to sponge the aspidistra leaves, looked up, and joined in the melody with a powerful roar.
You blasphemed the aspidistra and something awful has come down that chimney!
She selected the largest aspidistra and kissed one of its impassive shining surfaces.
In the corner was a big cracked Chinese pot containing an aspidistra plant.
A discouraged aspidistra stood in a tarnished brass pot near the unused counter.
The little concierge stepped from behind an enormous potted aspidistra and coughed softly into his fist.
Mr Mack narrowed his eyes, then let the fronds of the aspidistra fall back in place.
With a kind of tolerant pity, she lifted the aspidistras from their containing pots and gathered them into a melancholy little group on the floor, together with a repellent little cactus like an over-stuffed pincushion and a young rubber-plant.
This air is enhanced by the presence of five aspidistras, placed in a row on the top of the bunting, which has been stretched across the top, over the opening and the turned-back lid, tightly fixed to the edges with drawing pins, and allowed to fall in artistic festoons down the sides and in a sort of valance-like effect across the front.
The picture was framed in aspidistras like a nightmarish valentine and across the lower margin was the top of a piano.
By this time the piano was in position with the drapery and aspidistras on top.
When the chauffeur had gone, Georgie re-pinned the bunting over the open top of the piano, replaced the aspidistras and decamped.
His publications include Down and Out in Paris and London, Burmese Days, The Road to Wigan Pier, Coming Up for Air, Keep the Aspidistra Flying, Homage to Catalonia, and Inside the Whale.
There were aspidistras like small trees and portraits hung on brass rails along the corridors which the lift raised us to.
Mister Snaith's communions with the spirits had the timelessness of any good theatrical performance – and that power seemed to follow me even as I picked my way around the aspidistras towards the stairs.