pasque-flower species of anemone. XVI. orig. passeflower — F. passe-fleur, f. passer PASS2 + fleur FLOWER; alt. to pasque-flower (XVI) after pasque Easter (— OF. pasques (mod. Pâques):- Rom. *pascua, alt. of ecclL. pascha; see PASCHAL), because flowering about Easter.

pasque·flow·er / ˈpaskˌflou(-ə)r/ • n. a spring-flowering plant (genera Anemone and Pulsatilla) of the buttercup family, with purple or white flowers. Its several species include the North American A. patens and the Eurasian P. vulgaris.