fleur-de-lis

American  

[flur-dl-ee, -ees, floor-, flœr-duh-lees] / ˌflɜr dlˈi, -ˈis, ˌflʊər-, flœr dəˈlis /

Also fleur-de-lys

noun

plural

fleurs-de-lis

1. a heraldic device somewhat resembling three petals or floral segments of an iris tied by an encircling band.

2. the heraldic bearing of the royal family of France.

3. the iris flower or plant.

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Etymology

Origin of fleur-de-lis

1300–50; < French; replacing Middle English flourdelis < Anglo-French flour de lis, literally, lily flower

Explanation

A fleur-de-lis is a symbol that's commonly used as a decoration on flags, coats of arms, and even on buildings. The fleur-de-lis is based on the shape of a lily. In French, fleur-de-lis means "lily flower" or "flower of the iris." It's been used for centuries to represent a vast variety of things, including royalty, French cultural heritage, Christianity, light, defense, and female virtue. Its closest association is probably the French monarchy and its coats of arms — the fleur-de-lis has gone on to appear on flags, in college and sports team logos, and in many religious works of art.

Example Sentences

The Nordiques wore their politics on their sleeves, literally, putting the Quebec flag’s fleur-de-lis on their uniforms.

From New York Times • Jan. 6, 2024

Made of cloth of gold, it is embellished with motifs including fleur-de-lis, as well as imperial eagles, and national floral emblems of red-pink roses, blue thistles and green shamrocks.

From BBC • May 1, 2023

But this rabbit is at least three times as big as the others, each ear sprouting straight up like the tip of a fleur-de-lis, and it seems remarkably self-possessed for a rabbit.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 29, 2022

Its teeth are designed in the shape of the royal fleur-de-lis.

From Washington Post • Jul. 14, 2022

On the chain were strung two safe-deposit keys, a gold watch with a fleur-de-lis pin, and a little steel tube with a ring on its top.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck