amaranth

[ am-uh-ranth ]

noun

1. an imaginary, undying flower.
2. 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.
3. the grain of certain Amaranthus species, used for food and noted as an important staple grain of the Aztecs.
4. Chemistry. a purplish-red, water-soluble powder, C 20 H 11 N 2 O 10 Na 3 , an azo dye used chiefly to color pharmaceuticals, food, and garments.
5. purpleheart.

amaranth

/ ˈæməˌrænθ /

noun

1. poetic.
   an imaginary flower that never fades
2. See pigweed, tumbleweed, love-lies-bleeding
   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
3. a synthetic red food colouring ( E123 ), used in packet soups, cake mixes, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of amaranth¹

First recorded in 1545–55; from French amarante or New Latin amaranthus (genus name), from Latin amarantus (masculine noun), alteration of Greek amáranton “unfading flower,” noun use of neuter singular of amárantos “unfading, imperishable,” equivalent to a- a- ⁶( def ) ( an- ¹( def ) ) + maran- (stem of maraínein “to fade”) + -tos verbal adjective suffix; -th- as if from Greek ánthos “flower”

Word History and Origins

Origin of amaranth¹

C17: from Latin amarantus, from Greek amarantos unfading, from a- ¹+ marainein to fade

Example Sentences

It’s easily added to or subtracted from, usually starting with vegetables we have to use up before next week’s CSA box, which means dicing up everything from onions to romano beans to amaranth leaves.

From Eater

Look for:Purchase breads containing seeds and a mixture of healthy grains (like millet and amaranth) other than just brown rice.

From The Daily Beast

Soft music filled the air; soft breezes came to them as from fields of amaranth and asphodel.

From Project Gutenberg

The fairest wreaths of amaranth the fairest hands shall twine For the brows of our preux chevaliers, the Bayards of the brine!

From Project Gutenberg

He had a girth of gold and silver round his body, and his tail was plaited with amaranth and blue velvet ribbons.

From Project Gutenberg

The spirit culls Unfaded amaranth, when wild it strays790 Through the old garden-ground of boyish days.

From Project Gutenberg

Evie went half wild with joy about a certain crystal bath; I about the Amaranth Room.

From Project Gutenberg