fleur-de-lys

[ flur-dl-ee, -ees, floor-; French flœr-duh-lees ]

noun

, plural fleurs-de-lys [flur-dl-, eez, fl, oo, r-, fl, œ, r, -d, uh, -, lees].

1. fleur-de-lis ( defs 1, 2 ).

fleur-de-lys

/ ˌflɜːdəˈliː /

noun

1. heraldry a charge representing a lily with three distinct petals
2. another name for iris

Word History and Origins

Origin of fleur-de-lys¹

C19: from Old French flor de lis , literally: lily flower

Example Sentences

The house of Anjou is promoted through its heraldry; the fleur-de-lys symbolises a resurgent France in its battles with the English.

From The Guardian

Already, things looked different—the fleur-de-lys pattern on her wash bag, the chipped plaster frame of the mirror, her face in it as she brushed her hair, all looked brighter, in sharper focus.

From Literature

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle also revealed their royal monogram, which features an intertwining cursive "H" and "M" under a fleur-de-lys crown, prior to their wedding.

From Fox News

Prior to Prince Harry's marriage to Meghan Markle, the couple revealed their royal monogram which features an intertwining cursive "H" and "M" under a fleur-de-lys crown.

From Fox News

A major lesson is the central place of maize, usually represented by a vertical ear with two leaves falling to the side, a talismanic symbol reminiscent of a fleur-de-lys.

From Literature