lily
lily definition
lily (lil′ē)
noun pl. lilies lil′·ies
- any of a large genus (Lilium) of perennial plants of the lily family, grown from a bulb and having typically trumpet-shaped flowers, white or colored
- the flower or the bulb of any of these plants
- any of several plants similar to the true lily, as the waterlily
- the flower of any of these plants
- the heraldic fleur-de-lis, as in the royal arms of France
Etymology: ME lilie < OE < L lilium
adjective
- designating a family (Liliaceae, order Liliales) of monocotyledonous, usually herbaceous, plants, including the tulips, hyacinths, onions, and asparagus
- like a lily, as in whiteness, delicacy, purity, etc.
lily Idioms
gild the lily
to attempt vain improvements on something that is already excellent or perfect
Lily definition
Lily (lil′ē)
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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