lily

(lilē)

noun pl. lilies

  1. 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
  2. the flower or the bulb of any of these plants
  3. any of several plants similar to the true lily, as the waterlily
  4. the flower of any of these plants
  5. the heraldic fleur-de-lis, as in the royal arms of France

Origin: ME lilie < OE < L lilium

adjective

  1. designating a family (Liliaceae, order Liliales) of monocotyledonous, usually herbaceous, plants, including the tulips, hyacinths, onions, and asparagus
  2. like a lily, as in whiteness, delicacy, purity, etc.

noun

a feminine name

Origin: dim. of Lillian or < lily

See lily in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. lil·ies
  1. Any of various plants of the genus Lilium, having variously colored, often trumpet-shaped flowers.
  2. Any of various similar or related plants, such as the day lily or the water lily.
  3. The flower of any of these plants.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English lilie

Origin: , from Old English

Origin: , from Latin līlium

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