orchid

English
Phalaenopsis cultivar
Orchis lactea with root visible and a one-Euro coin for scale.

Etymology

From New Latin Orchideae, Orchidaceae, an irregular formation from Latin orchis, from Ancient Greek ὄρχις (órkhis, “orchid, testicle”) (ostensibly from the shape of the roots[1]). Supplanted Middle English ballokwort (literally “testicle plant”).

Pronunciation
  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈɔː.kɪd/
  • Audio (Southern England)(file)
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈɔɹ.kɪd/
  • Rhymes: -ɔː(ɹ)kɪd

Noun

orchid (plural orchids)

  1. A plant of the orchid family (Orchidaceae), bearing unusually-shaped flowers of beautiful colours. [mid-19th c.]
  2. A light bluish-red, violet-red or purple colour.
    orchid:  

Synonyms

Derived terms

Translations

Adjective

orchid (not comparable)

  1. Having a light purple colour.

Translations
colour

Derived terms
Derived terms

See also
Other articles

References
  1. “ὄρχις”, in Liddell & Scott (1940) A Greek–English Lexicon, Oxford: Clarendon Press

Anagrams
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