chincherinchee

[ chin-chuh-rin-chee, -rin-chee, ching-kuh- ]

noun

1. a bulbous plant, Ornithogalum thyrsoides, of the lily family, native to southern Africa, having dense clusters of cream-colored or white flowers.

chincherinchee

/ ˌtʃɪntʃərɪnˈtʃiː; -ˈrɪntʃɪ /

noun

1. a bulbous South African liliaceous plant, Ornithogalum thyrsoides, having long spikes of white or yellow long-lasting flowers

Word History and Origins

Origin of chincherinchee¹

1925–30; < Afrikaans tjienkerientjee, perhaps tjienker- (< ?) + uintjie name for various edible bulbs (compare uietjie, diminutive of ui onion); often alleged to be imitative representation of the sound produced when the stalks are rubbed together

Word History and Origins

Origin of chincherinchee¹

of unknown origin