/kri san"theuh meuhm/ , n.
1. any of several composite plants of the genus Chrysanthemum, as C. leucanthemum, the oxeye daisy, having white ray flowers with a yellow center.
2. any cultivated variety of the plant C. morifolium, native to China, and of other species of Chrysanthemum, notable for the diversity of color and size of their autumnal flowers.
3. the flower of any such plant.
[ 1570-80; chrysánthemon, equiv. to chrys- CHRYS- + ánthemon flower, akin to ánthos; see ANTHO- ]