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lily definition

lily (lilē)

noun pl. lilies lil′·ies

  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

Etymology: 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.
lily Idioms

gild the lily

to attempt vain improvements on something that is already excellent or perfect
Lily definition

Lily (lilē)

noun

a feminine name

Etymology: dim. of Lillian or < lily

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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