lychnis

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: lych=nis

CIDE DICTIONARY

lychnis, n. [L., a kind of red flower, Gr. lychni`s; cf. ly`chnos a lamp.].

 A genus of Old World plants belonging to the Pink family (Caryophyllaceæ). Most of the species have brilliantly colored flowers and cottony leaves, which may have anciently served as wicks for lamps. The botanical name is in common use for the garden species. The corn cockle (Lychnis Githago) is a common weed in wheat fields.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

lychnis, n. any herbaceous plant of the genus Lychnis, including ragged robin.

Etymology

L f. Gk lukhnis a red flower f. lukhnos lamp