lily

See also: Lily

English
A lily plant

Etymology
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”).

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈlɪli/
  • Audio (US)(file)
  • Rhymes: -ɪli

Noun

lily (plural lilies)

A floral arrangement containing white lilies in Wesley Methodist Church, Singapore
  1. Any of several flowers in the genus Lilium of the family Liliaceae, which includes a great many ornamental species.
  2. 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.
  3. (heraldry) The flower used as a heraldic charge; also commonly used to describe the fleur-de-lis.
  4. The end of a compass needle that should point north, traditionally often ornamented with the figure of a lily or fleur-de-lis.
  5. (card games, usually in the plural) A royal spade in auction bridge.
  6. (cartomancy) The thirtieth Lenormand card, representing calmness and maturity.

Derived terms
Derived terms

Translations

Adjective

lily (not comparable)

  1. (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
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