lilies Definition

lily
noun lilies

1. strictly
Any of various perennial plants that have underground bulbs, narrow leaves, and white or brightly coloured flowers, often spotted, with long protruding stamens.
2. loosely
Any of various plants with flowers superficially resembling those of a lily, eg water lily.
3. Someone or something considered exceptionally pure.
4. A fleur-de-lis.

adj

1. Pale; white.

Derivative: liliaceous
adj

Idiom: gild the lily

See under gild.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon, from Latin lilium.