ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷(ˌ) ̷ ̷ noun
( plural stars-of-bethlehem or star-of-bethlehem )
Usage: usually capitalized B
Etymology: Bethlehem, ancient town in Judaea; probably from a supposed resemblance of the flower to the star which according to Mt 2:9 guided the wise men from the East to the place where they were to find the child Jesus in Bethlehem
1. : a plant of the genus Ornithogalum ; especially : a common Old World herb ( O. umbellatum ) with greenish flowers that is naturalized in the eastern U.S. — called also sleepy dick
2. : amazon lily
3. : an Australian plant ( Chamaescilla corymbosa ) of the family Liliaceae
4. : a Tasmanian plant ( Burchardia umbellata ) of the family Liliaceae
5. : any of several starflowers ; especially : starwort
6. : bluet 1c