daffodil

[ daf-uh-dil ]

noun

1. a bulbous plant, Narcissus pseudonarcissus, of the amaryllis family, having solitary, yellow, nodding flowers that bloom in the spring.
2. (formerly) any plant of the genus Narcissus.
3. clear yellow; canary.

adjective

1. of the color daffodil.

daffodil

/ ˈdæfədɪl /

noun

1. Also calledLent lily a widely cultivated Eurasian amaryllidaceous plant, Narcissus pseudonarcissus, having spring-blooming yellow flowers
2. any other plant of the genus Narcissus
3. 1. a brilliant yellow colour
   2. ( as adjective )

      daffodil paint

4. a daffodil, or a representation of one, as a national emblem of Wales

Word History and Origins

Origin of daffodil¹

1530–40; unexplained variant of Middle English affodile < Vulgar Latin affodillus, variant of asphodelus < Greek asphódelos asphodel

Word History and Origins

Origin of daffodil¹

C14: from Dutch de affodil the asphodel, from Medieval Latin affodillus, variant of Latin asphodelus asphodel

Example Sentences

To many insects and birds, block-yellow flowers like daffodils are flamed and streaked with painterly brushstrokes of ultraviolet, while those of silverweed are bull’s-eyed with colors we cannot imagine.

From MIT Technology Review

Baby’s breath, for example, needs a higher amount of sugar once the buds are open, while daffodils don’t benefit from sugary solutions at all.

From Popular-Science

With that, Ranger Mara traipsed off, leading the group through just-budding daffodils and flowering shrubbery to the site of her next lesson.

From Outside Online

So we just keep moving with the uncertainty and bow to the daffodils where ever they grow.

From Time

Something Sylvia was knowing of that sweet daffodil time in the heart of a girl before the hovering swallows dare to fly.

From Project Gutenberg

"I think I know who committed the Daffodil Murder," he said steadily.

From Project Gutenberg

And there are Keats' and Shelley's well-known and beautiful lines which bring down the praises of the Daffodil to our own day.

From Project Gutenberg

In fact, I am not so certain that the daffodil is a native of China at all, though China's a mighty big place.

From Project Gutenberg

Note also his "Daffodil Fields," which is quite different from these and full of peculiar beauty.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• adage
• aphorism
• axiom
• dictum
• epigram
• maxim
• witticism