Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Bachelor's button \Bach"e*lor's but"ton\, (Bot.)
A plant with flowers shaped like buttons; especially, several
species of {Ranunculus}, and the cornflower ({Centaures
cyanus}) and globe amaranth ({Gomphrena}).
Note: Bachelor's buttons, a name given to several flowers
``from their similitude to the jagged cloathe buttons,
anciently worne in this kingdom'', according to
Johnson's --Gerarde, p. 472 (1633); but by other
writers ascribed to ``a habit of country fellows to
carry them in their pockets to divine their success
with their sweethearts.'' --Dr. Prior.
Source : WordNet®
bachelor's button
n 1: an annual Eurasian plant cultivated in North America having
showy heads of blue or purple or pink or white flowers
[syn: {cornflower}, {bluebottle}, {Centaurea cyanus}]
2: tropical American herb having rose to red or purple flowers
that can be dried without losing color [syn: {globe
amaranth}, {Gomphrena globosa}]