Four"-o'clock` (?), n.

1. Bot.

A plant of the genus Mirabilis. There are about half a dozen species, natives of the warmer parts of America. The common four-o'clock is M. Jalapa. Its flowers are white, yellow, and red, and open toward sunset, or earlier in cloudy weather; hence the name. It is also called marvel of Peru, and afternoon lady.

2. Zool.

The friar bird; -- so called from its cry, which resembles these words.

 

© Webster 1913.