periwinkle

Everyday

1. A periwinkle is a small sea snail with a spiral shell, found on rocks at the seashore. tree →
2. A periwinkle is also a low garden plant with blue or purple flowers. tree →
3. Periwinkle is a soft blue-purple colour. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on the seashore and rock pools the periwinkle is a common small snail; in gardens it is a ground-cover flower; in art it names a colour. Phrases: rock pool periwinkles, periwinkle blue.

Examples

• We found periwinkles in the rock pool. tree →
• A periwinkle clings to the rock when the tide goes out. tree →
• The periwinkle flowers were blue. tree →
• My new jumper is periwinkle blue. tree →
• Seagulls sometimes eat periwinkles. tree →
• Periwinkles eat tiny plants on the rocks. tree →
• Some people cook and eat periwinkles, called winkles. tree →
• Dark as were his thoughts his blue eyes were as soft as the periwinkle. tree →

Note

Countable for the snail or plant. The snail is often shortened to «winkle». The same word names two unrelated things (snail and flower) — read the context.