Word Study
orchid
CIDE DICTIONARY
orchid, n. [See Orchis.].
Any plant of the order Orchidaceæ . See Orchidaceous. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
orchid, n.
1 any usu. epiphytic plant of the family Orchidaceae, bearing flowers in fantastic shapes and brilliant colours, usu. having one petal larger than the others and variously spurred, lobed, pouched, etc.
2 a flower of any of these plants.
1 any usu. epiphytic plant of the family Orchidaceae, bearing flowers in fantastic shapes and brilliant colours, usu. having one petal larger than the others and variously spurred, lobed, pouched, etc.
2 a flower of any of these plants.
Derivative
orchidaceous adj. orchidist n. orchidology n.
Etymology
mod.L Orchid(ac)eae irreg. f. L orchis: see ORCHIS
For further exploring for "orchid" in Webster Dictionary Online