orchid

¹

[ awr-kid ]

noun

1. any terrestrial or epiphytic plant of the family Orchidaceae, of temperate and tropical regions, having usually showy flowers. Compare orchid family.
2. the flower of any of these plants.
3. a bluish to reddish purple.

orchid-

²

1. variant of orchido- before a vowel:

   orchidology.

orchid

/ ˈɔːkɪd /

noun

1. any terrestrial or epiphytic plant of the family Orchidaceae, often having flowers of unusual shapes and beautiful colours, specialized for pollination by certain insects See bee orchid burnt-tip orchid fly orchid frog orchid lady orchid lizard orchid man orchid monkey orchid purple-fringed orchid pyramidal orchid scented orchid spider orchid spotted orchid

Word History and Origins

Origin of orchid¹

1835–45; < New Latin Orchideae (later Orchidaceae ) family name, equivalent to Latin orch ( is ) a plant ( orchis ) + -ideae, irregular suffix ( -idae ); -id ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of orchid¹

C19: from New Latin Orchideae; see orchis

Example Sentences

After a few weeks of sleeping in his car, McKagan moved into the Amor building on Orchid Street in Hollywood, behind what’s now Ovation Hollywood, and began a musical journey that saw him and his bandmates in Guns N’ Roses become one of the most recognized bands of all time, accumulating accolades, selling out stadiums and earning induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

From Los Angeles Times

Gucci’s Flora Gorgeous Orchid Eau De Parfum is the latest fragrance release from the Italian house, with a campaign featuring Miley Cyrus under the direction of creative director Sabato De Sarno.

From Los Angeles Times

A sumptuous white floral with heavy doses of vanilla and a light ozonic accord to boot, Gucci Flora Gorgeous Orchid is perfect for the heat, clinging and settling on the skin while retaining an airy quality about it.

From Los Angeles Times

Unlike most plants, the orchid doesn't need sunlight, instead it feeds on nutrients from fungi underground.

From BBC

Its location in England is being kept secret to protect the orchid from being squashed by flower tourists who want to look at it, or being stolen by a plant poacher.

From BBC

Related Words

• admiration
• adulation
• applause
• blessing
• commendation
• courtesy
• endorsement
• homage
• ovation
• tribute