n.
Pronunciation: ' l ī - ˌ läk, - ˌ lak, -l ə k
Function: noun
Etymology: obsolete French (now lilas ), from Arabic l ī lak, from Persian n ī lak bluish, from n ī l blue, from Sanskrit n ī la dark blue
Date: 1625
1 a : 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 b : a tree or shrub congeneric with the lilac
2 : a variable color averaging a moderate purple
lilac 1a