LILAC

noun Etymology: obsolete French (now lilas), from Arabic līlak, from Persian nīlak bluish, from nīl blue, from Sanskrit nīla dark blue Date: 1625 1. a widely cultivated European shrub ( Syringa vulgaris ) of the olive family that has cordate ovate leaves and large panicles of fragrant pinkish-purple or white flowers, a tree or shrub congeneric with the ~, a variable color averaging a moderate purple