n.1 any usu. epiphytic plant of the family Orchidaceae, bearing flowers in fantastic shapes and brilliant colours, usu. having one petal larger than the others and variously spurred, lobed, pouched, etc.
2 a flower of any of these plants.
Derivatives:
orchidaceous adj. orchidist n. orchidology n.
Etymology: mod.L Orchid(ac)eae irreg. f. L orchis: see ORCHIS