flower-de-luce

[ flou-er-duh-loos ]

noun

1. the iris flower or plant.

flower-de-luce

/ ˈflaʊədəˈluːs /

noun

1. an archaic name for iris lily

Word History and Origins

Origin of flower-de-luce¹

1630–40; Anglicization of French fleur de lis

Word History and Origins

Origin of flower-de-luce¹

C16: anglicized variant of French fleur de lis

Example Sentences

Sir William rose to stand by the window, and his gaze softened towards the sunlit meadows where buttercups swayed with daisies, and blue flower-de-luce quivered in the wind.

From Project Gutenberg

Both are related to the flower-de-luce, the stately lily of France.

From Project Gutenberg

It is uncertain whether the conventional fleur-de-lis was originally meant to represent the lily or white iris—the flower-de-luce of Shakespeare—or an arrow-head, a spear-head, an amulet fastened on date-palms to ward off the evil eye, &c.

From Project Gutenberg

When the Iberian quaked, her worthies named; And the fair flower-de-luce grew pale, set by The red rose and the white!

From Project Gutenberg

The court will rest from chase in this smooth glade That slopes to meet yon little rushy stream, Where in the shallows nod the arrow-heads, And the blue flower-de-luce's banners gleam.

From Project Gutenberg