Lily
Lily (lil"y) , noun
[Anglo-Saxon lilie, Latin lilium, Greek lei`rion. Compare Flower-de-luce.]
1.
(Botany) A plant and flower of the genus Lilium, endogenous bulbous plants, having a regular perianth of six colored pieces, six stamens, and a superior three-celled ovary.
There are nearly fifty species, all found in the North Temperate zone. Lilium candidum and Lilium longiflorum are the common white lilies of gardens; Lilium Philadelphicum is the wild red lily of the Atlantic States. Lilium Chalcedonicum is supposed to be the “lily of the field” in our Lord's parable; Lilium auratum is the great gold-banded lily of Japan.
2.
(Botany) A name given to handsome flowering plants of several genera, having some resemblance in color or form to a true lily, as Pancratium, Crinum, Amaryllis, Nerine, etc.
3.
That end of a compass needle which should point to the north; -- so called as often ornamented with the figure of a lily or fleur-de-lis.
But sailing further, it veers its lily to the west.
4.
(Auction Bridge) A royal spade; -- usually in pl. See Royal spade, below.
Collocations (15)
African lily (Botany) , the blue-flowered Agapanthus umbellatus.
Atamasco lily (Botany) , a plant of the genus Zephyranthes (Zephyranthes Atamasco), having a white and pink funnelform perianth, with six petal-like divisions resembling those of a lily. — Gray
Blackberry lily (Botany) , the Pardanthus Chinensis, the black seeds of which form a dense mass like a blackberry.
Bourbon lily (Botany) , Lilium candidum. See Illust.
Lily beetle (Zoology) , a European beetle (Crioceris merdigera) which feeds upon the white lily.
Lily daffodil (Botany) , a plant of the genus Narcissus, and its flower.
Lily hyacinth (Botany) , a plant of the genus Hyacinthus.
Lily iron , a kind of harpoon with a detachable head of peculiar shape, used in capturing swordfish.
Lily of the valley (Botany) , a low perennial herb (Convallaria majalis), having a raceme of nodding, fragrant, white flowers.
Lily pad , the large floating leaf of the water lily. [United States] — Lowell
Tiger lily (Botany) , Lilium tigrinum, the sepals of which are blotched with black.
Turk's-cap lily (Botany) , Lilium Martagon, a red lily with recurved sepals; also, the similar American lily, Lilium superbum.
Water lily (Botany) , the Nymphaa, a plant with floating roundish leaves, and large flowers having many petals, usually white, but sometimes pink, red, blue, or yellow. [See Illust. of Nymphaa.]