amaranth
[ am-uh-ranth ]
/ ˈæm əˌrænθ /
noun
an imaginary, undying flower.
any plant of the genus Amaranthus, some species of which are cultivated as food and some for their showy flower clusters or foliage.
Compare amaranth family.
Chemistry.
a purplish-red, water-soluble powder, C20H11N2O10Na3, an azo dye used chiefly to color pharmaceuticals, food, and garments.
Origin of amaranth
1545–55; < Latin
amarantus, alteration of Greek
amáranton unfading flower, noun use of neuter singular of
amárantos, equivalent to
a-
a-6 +
maran- (stem of
maraínein to fade) +
-tos verbal adjective suffix;
-th- < Greek
ánthos flower
Words nearby amaranth
amanite,
amantadine,
amanuensis,
amanullah khan,
amapá,
amaranth,
amaranth family,
amaranthaceous,
amaranthine,
amarelle,
amaretti
Example sentences from the Web for amaranth
British Dictionary definitions for amaranth
amaranth
/ (ˈæməˌrænθ) /
noun
poetic
an imaginary flower that never fades
any of numerous tropical and temperate plants of the genus Amaranthus, having tassel-like heads of small green, red, or purple flowers: family Amaranthaceae
See also love-lies-bleeding, tumbleweed, pigweed (def. 1)
a synthetic red food colouring (E123), used in packet soups, cake mixes, etc
Word Origin for amaranth
C17: from Latin
amarantus, from Greek
amarantos unfading, from
a-
1 +
marainein to fade