freesia

[ free-zhee-uh, -zee-uh, -zhuh ]
/ ˈfri ʒi ə, -zi ə, -ʒə /

noun

any of several plants belonging to the genus Freesia, of the iris family, native to southern Africa, having fragrant white, yellow, or sometimes rose-colored, tubular flowers.

Origin of freesia

1880–85; < New Latin; named after E. M. Fries (1794–1878), Swedish botanist; see -ia

Words nearby freesia

freephone, freeport, freepost, freer, freesheet, freesia, freest, freestanding, freestone, freestone state, freestyle

Example sentences from the Web for freesia

  • One of them is called freesia (Fig. 371) and if I could have but one kind of bulb to flower in the winter, I should choose this.

    Cornell Nature-Study Leaflets |Various

  • The freesia and the oxalis are of the "Cape" group of bulbs, and when started in the fall should blossom in four or five months.

    Gardening for Little Girls |Olive Hyde Foster

British Dictionary definitions for freesia

freesia
/ (ˈfriːzɪə, ˈfriːʒə) /

noun

any iridaceous plant of the genus Freesia, of southern Africa, cultivated for their white, yellow, or pink tubular fragrant flowers

Word Origin for freesia

C19: New Latin, named after F. H. T. Freese (died 1876), German physician