n. (pl. -ies)
1. a a small composite plant, Bellis perennis, bearing flowers each with a yellow disc and white rays. b any other plant with daisy-like flowers, esp. the larger ox-eye daisy, the Michaelmas daisy, or the Shasta daisy.
2 sl. a first-rate specimen of anything.
Phrases and idioms:
daisy-chain a string of daisies threaded together. daisy-cutter Cricket a ball bowled so as to roll along the ground. daisy wheel Computing a disc of spokes extending radially from a central hub, each terminating in a printing character, used as a printer in word processors and typewriters. pushing up the daisies sl. dead and buried.
Etymology: OE d{aelig}ges eage day's eye, the flower opening in the morning