amaranth

[ am-uh-ranth ]

noun

1. an imaginary, undying flower.
2. any plant of the genus Amaranthus, some species of which are cultivated as food and some for their showy flower clusters or foliage. Compare amaranth family.
3. the grain of certain Amaranthus species, used for food and noted as an important staple grain of the Aztecs.
4. Chemistry. a purplish-red, water-soluble powder, C 20 H 11 N 2 O 10 Na 3 , an azo dye used chiefly to color pharmaceuticals, food, and garments.
5. purpleheart.

amaranth

/ ˈæməˌrænθ /

noun

1. poetic.
   an imaginary flower that never fades
2. any of numerous tropical and temperate plants of the genus Amaranthus, having tassel-like heads of small green, red, or purple flowers: family Amaranthaceae See also love-lies-bleeding tumbleweed pigweed
3. a synthetic red food colouring ( E123 ), used in packet soups, cake mixes, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of amaranth¹

First recorded in 1545–55; from French amarante or New Latin amaranthus (genus name), from Latin amarantus (masculine noun), alteration of Greek amáranton “unfading flower,” noun use of neuter singular of amárantos “unfading, imperishable,” equivalent to a- a- ⁶( def ) ( an- ¹( def ) ) + maran- (stem of maraínein “to fade”) + -tos verbal adjective suffix; -th- as if from Greek ánthos “flower”

Word History and Origins

Origin of amaranth¹

C17: from Latin amarantus, from Greek amarantos unfading, from a- ¹+ marainein to fade

Example Sentences

She spots amaranth and caresses the diamond-shaped green leaves, commonly known as pigweed in English.

From Los Angeles Times

The experience has empowered her to consider next year’s growing season, which she hopes will include dahlias, foxglove and amaranth.

From Los Angeles Times

The researchers used five flours that included gluten: unbleached all-purpose flour, red turkey wheat, emmer, rye and einkorn; and five gluten-free flours: teff, millet, sorghum, buckwheat and amaranth.

From Science Daily

On our post-Hilary visit, it is a riot of life, with bumblebees buzzing around blooming amaranth and apricot mallow.

From Los Angeles Times

At the farm’s labeled U-pick areas, visitors can pick a variety of produce for free, including tomatoes, cucumbers, African nightshade, amaranth, collards, corn and potatoes.

From Seattle Times