Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Primrose \Prim"rose`\, n. [OE. primerole, F. primerole, a
   derivative fr. LL. primula, from L. primus first. See
   {Prime}, a.] (Bot.)
   (a) An early flowering plant of the genus {Primula} ({P.
       vulgaris}) closely allied to the cowslip. There are
       several varieties, as the white-, the red-, the
       yellow-flowered, etc. Formerly called also {primerole},
       {primerolles}.
   (b) Any plant of the genus {Primula}.

   {Evening primrose}, an erect biennial herb ({Enothera
      biennis}), with yellow vespertine flowers, common in the
      United States. The name is sometimes extended to other
      species of the same genus.

   {Primrose peerless}, the two-flowered Narcissus ({N.
      biflorus}). [Obs.]