Word Study
amaryllis
CIDE DICTIONARY
amaryllis, n. [L. Amaryllis, Gr. , , the name of a country girl in Theocritus and Virgil.].
- A pastoral sweetheart. [1913 Webster]"To sport with Amaryllis in the shade." [1913 Webster]
- A family of plants much esteemed for their beauty, including the narcissus, jonquil, daffodil, agave, and others. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
amaryllis, n.
1 a plant genus with a single species, Amaryllis belladonna, a bulbous lily-like plant native to S. Africa with white or rose-pink flowers (also called belladonna lily).
2 any of various related plants formerly of this genus now transferred to other genera, notably Hippeastrum.
1 a plant genus with a single species, Amaryllis belladonna, a bulbous lily-like plant native to S. Africa with white or rose-pink flowers (also called belladonna lily).
2 any of various related plants formerly of this genus now transferred to other genera, notably Hippeastrum.
Etymology
L f. Gk Amarullis, name of a country girl
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