— lilylike , adj.
/lil"ee/ , n. , pl. lilies , adj.
n.
1. any scaly-bulbed plant of the genus Lilium, having showy, funnel-shaped or bell-shaped flowers. Cf. lily family .
2. the flower or the bulb of such a plant.
3. any of various related or similar plants or their flowers, as the mariposa lily or the calla lily.
4. fleur-de-lis, esp. as the symbol of France.
5. Bowling. a split in which the five, seven, and ten pins remain standing.
6. gild the lily . See gild 1 (def. 4).
adj.
7. white as a lily: her lily hands.
8. delicately fair: a lily maiden.
9. pure; unsullied: the lily truth.
10. pale; fragile; weak.
[ bef. 1000; ME, OE lilie lilium; cf. Gk leírion ]