I. ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ adjective
Etymology: Middle English lilie-whit, from lilie lily + whit white
1. : white as a lily : pure white
2.
a. : designed to maintain a color line by excluding Negroes
overruled the rank and file on the basis of the lily-white clause in the union ritual — John Beecher
b. : characterized by or favoring the exclusion of Negroes especially from politics
began to identify themselves with a lily-white movement which would expel Negroes from the organization — H.R.Penniman
— opposed to black-and-tan
3. : lacking faults or imperfections : irreproachable , pure , innocent
will show the jury he isn't as lily-white as he would have them believe — George Norris
II. noun
: a member of a lily-white organization ; especially : a member of a faction of the Republican party in the southern United States favoring the exclusion of Negroes from political life — opposed to black and tan