lilac
any of various shrubs belonging to the genus Syringa, of the olive family, as S. vulgaris, having large clusters of fragrant purple or white flowers: the state flower of New Hampshire.
pale reddish purple.
having the color lilac.
Origin of lilac
1Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use lilac in a sentence
She arose and brushed her hands against each other, moving towards the opening in the lilacs.
Tessa Wadsworth's Discipline | Jennie M. DrinkwaterBut I could smell the lilacs she had left, and the scent of them seemed like the wraith of her presence in the sunny room.
The Idyl of Twin Fires | Walter Prichard EatonIn this yard were lilacs of a large growth, roses of various kinds, and flowering almonds.
Charles Duran | The Author of The WaldosThe backs of the gigs were sheltered from the road by a hedge of lilacs, and over the gateway a gigantic elm kept watch and ward.
East Anglia | J. Ewing RitchieLilacs and snowballs bloomed, and Professor Kelton went serenely about among his roses.
A Hoosier Chronicle | Meredith Nicholson
British Dictionary definitions for lilac
/ (ˈlaɪlək) /
Also called: syringa any of various Eurasian oleaceous shrubs or small trees of the genus Syringa, esp S. vulgaris (common lilac) which has large sprays of purple or white fragrant flowers
French lilac another name for goat's-rue (def. 1)
a light or moderate purple colour, sometimes with a bluish or reddish tinge
(as adjective): a lilac carpet
Origin of lilac
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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