lily
See also: Lily
English
Etymology
From Middle English lilie, from Old English lilie, from Latin līlia, plural of līlium, from Ancient Greek λείριον (leírion), from Fayyumic Coptic ϩⲗⲏⲣⲓ (hlēri), variant of ϩⲣⲏⲣⲉ (hrēre), from Demotic (ḥrrj, “flower”), from Egyptian ḥrrt (“flower”),
, which is perhaps also the root of Sanskrit हली (halī), हलिनी (halinī, “lily”).
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Pronunciation
Noun
lily (plural lilies)
- Any of several flowers in the genus Lilium of the family Liliaceae, which includes a great many ornamental species.
- Any of several species of herbaceous flower which may or may not resemble the genus Lilium in some way, and which are not closely related to it or each other.
- (heraldry) The flower used as a heraldic charge; also commonly used to describe the fleur-de-lis.
- The end of a compass needle that should point north, traditionally often ornamented with the figure of a lily or fleur-de-lis.
- 1646, Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemica:
- But sailing further, it veers its lily to the west.
- (card games, usually in the plural) A royal spade in auction bridge.
- (cartomancy) The thirtieth Lenormand card, representing calmness and maturity.
Alternative forms
Derived terms
Derived terms
Translations
flower in the genus Lilium
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Adjective
lily (not comparable)
- (slang, derogatory) White (as a racial epithet).
- 1994, Colleen Faulkner, Captive:
- "Can't you see I'm trying to save your lily ass?" "I don't want to be saved," Tess moaned as he hauled her up and into his lap with one beefy hand.
Anagrams
Categories:
- English terms inherited from Middle English
- English terms derived from Middle English
- English terms inherited from Old English
- English terms derived from Old English
- English terms derived from Latin
- English terms derived from Ancient Greek
- English terms derived from Coptic
- English terms derived from Demotic
- English terms derived from Egyptian
- English 2-syllable words
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- Rhymes:English/ɪli
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- en:Heraldic charges
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- en:Flowers
- en:Lily family plants