/jil"ee flow'euhr/ , n.
1. Archaic. any of several fragrant flowers of the genus Dianthus, as the carnation or clove pink.
2. any of various other usually fragrant flowers, esp. a stock, Matthiola incana, of the mustard family.
Also, gilliflower .
[ 1300-50; alter. (by association with FLOWER) of ME gilofre, geraflour gilofre, girofle caryophyllum karyóphyllon clove ( káryo ( n ) nut + phýllon leaf) ]