I. ˈlilē, -li noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English lilie, from Old English, from Latin lilium, of non-Indo-European origin; akin to the source of Greek leirion lily
1.
a. : any of numerous erect perennial leafy-stemmed bulbous herbs that constitute the genus Lilium, are native to the northern hemisphere, and are widely cultivated for their showy but unscented flowers
b. : any of various other plants of the family Liliaceae that usually have showy flowers suggesting those of plants of the genus Lilium — used chiefly in combination; compare day lily , lily of the valley , mariposa lily , plantain lily
c. : any of various plants of other families (as Amaryllidaceae, Iridaceae) of the order Liliales including several that are cultivated for their showy and often fragrant flowers — usually used in combination; compare butterfly lily 1, spider lily
2. : any of various plants with showy flowers: as
a. : the scarlet anemone that grows wild in Palestine — used chiefly in biblical references
b. : water lily
c. : calla 2
3. : one that resembles the lily in whiteness, fairness, purity, or fragility
a virgin, a most unspotted lily — Shakespeare
4.
a. : the conventional or heraldic fleur-de-lis considered as the symbol of France — usually used in plural
the golden lilies of France — Gilbert Parker
b. obsolete : the north-pointing end of a compass needle
5. : royal spade
6. : a pontoon airstrip consisting of interlocked hexagonal metal drums
II. adjective
: resembling a lily in whiteness, fairness, purity, or fragility
my lady's lily hand — John Keats