I. ˈdalyə also ˈdäl- or ˈdȧl- sometimes -lēə; Brit usually & US sometimes ˈdāl- noun
Etymology: New Latin, from Anders Dahl died 1789 Swedish botanist + New Latin -ia
1. capitalized : a genus of Mexican and Central American tuberous-rooted herbs (family Compositae) having opposite pinnate leaves and rayed flower heads with a pappus of scales, teeth, or awns that are not retrorsely barked
2. -s : any plant of the genus Dahlia, most of the horticultural varieties being derived from a Central American species ( D. pinnata )
3. also dahlia violet -s
a. : one of the methyl violets ; also : a mixture of a methyl violet and fuchsine
b. : one of Hofmann's violets
4. -s : a moderate purple that is redder and duller than heliotrope (sense 4a), redder and paler than average amethyst or manganese violet, and bluer and paler than cobalt violet — compare dahlia purple
II. noun
also dahlia wartlet
( -s )
: a common large sea anemone ( Tealia crassicornis ) of the Atlantic coasts of Europe