lilac Hear it!

lilac definition

li·lac (lī′lək, -läk′, -lak′)

noun

  1. any of a genus (Syringa) of hardy shrubs or trees of the olive family, with large clusters of tiny, fragrant flowers ranging in color from white, through many shades of lavender, to deep crimson
  2. the flower of this plant
  3. pale purple

Etymology: Fr (now lilas) < Ar līlak < Pers līlak, nīlak, bluish < nīl, indigo < Sans nila, dark blue, indigo

adjective

of a pale-purple color

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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