orchid

[ awr-kid ]
/ ˈɔr kɪd /

noun

any terrestrial or epiphytic plant of the family Orchidaceae, of temperate and tropical regions, having usually showy flowers. Compare orchid family.
the flower of any of these plants.
a bluish to reddish purple.

Origin of orchid

1835–45; < New Latin Orchideae (later Orchidaceae) family name, equivalent to Latin orch(is) a plant (see orchis) + -ideae, irregular suffix (cf. -idae); see -id2

Definition for orchid (2 of 2)

orchid-

variant of orchido- before a vowel: orchidology.

Example sentences from the Web for orchid

British Dictionary definitions for orchid

orchid
/ (ˈɔːkɪd) /

noun

any terrestrial or epiphytic plant of the family Orchidaceae, often having flowers of unusual shapes and beautiful colours, specialized for pollination by certain insects See bee orchid, burnt-tip orchid, fly orchid, frog orchid, lady orchid, lizard orchid, man orchid, monkey orchid, purple-fringed orchid, pyramidal orchid, scented orchid, spider orchid, spotted orchid

Word Origin for orchid

C19: from New Latin Orchideae; see orchis