orchid
UK /ˈɔː.kɪd/ · US /ˈɔɹ.kɪd/ noun, adjective
Forms orchids
- noun A plant of the orchid family (Orchidaceae), bearing unusually-shaped flowers of beautiful colours.
- noun A light bluish-red, violet-red or purple colour.
- adjective Having a light purple colour.
Synonyms
Etymology
From New Latin Orchideae, Orchidaceae, an irregular formation from Latin orchis, from Ancient Greek ὄρχις (órkhis, “orchid, testicle”) (ostensibly from the shape of the roots). Supplanted Middle English ballokwort (literally “testicle plant”).
Webster’s 1913
Etymology [See Orchis.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “orchid”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details