lily

¹

[ lil-ee ]

noun

, plural lil·ies.

1. any scaly-bulbed plant of the genus Lilium, having showy, funnel-shaped or bell-shaped flowers. Compare lily family.
2. the flower or the bulb of such a plant.
3. any of various related or similar plants or their flowers, as the mariposa lily or the calla lily.
4. fleur-de-lis, especially as the symbol of France.
5. Bowling. a split in which the five, seven, and ten pins remain standing.

adjective

1. white as a lily:

   her lily hands.

2. delicately fair:

   a lily maiden.

3. pure; unsullied:

   the lily truth.

4. pale; fragile; weak.

Lily

²

or Lil·ly

[ lil-e ]

noun

1. a female given name.

lily

/ ˈlɪlɪ /

noun

1. any liliaceous perennial plant of the N temperate genus Lilium, such as the Turk's-cap lily and tiger lily, having scaly bulbs and showy typically pendulous flowers
2. the bulb or flower of any of these plants
3. any of various similar or related plants, such as the water lily, plantain lily, and day lily

Derived Forms

• ˈlily-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• lily·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lily¹

before 1000; Middle English, Old English lilie < Latin līlium; compare Greek leírion

Word History and Origins

Origin of lily¹

Old English, from Latin līlium; related to Greek leirion lily

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. gild the lily. gild ¹( def 4 ).

More idioms and phrases containing lily

see gild the lily .