snowflake

English

/ˈsnəʊ.fleɪk/, /ˈsnoʊ.fleɪk/

noun
Definitions
  • A crystal of snow, having approximate hexagonal symmetry.
  • Any of several bulbous European plants, of the genus , having white flowers.
  • The snow bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis.
  • (slang) Someone who believes they are as unique and special as a snowflake.
  • (slang) Someone hypersensitive to insult or offense, especially a young person with politically correct sensibilities.
  • Someone (usually white) who was opposed to the abolition of slavery (Missouri, 1860s)
  • (ophthalmology) A type of lesion that appears as scattered white-brown spots under high magnification light microscopy.
  • Something that is unique in every presentation.
  • (slang) A Caucasian person.

Etymology

Compound from English snow + English flake.

Origin

English

flake

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms