acidanthera

[ as-i-dan-ther-uh ]

/ ˌæs ɪˈdæn θər ə /

noun

any bulbous African plant belonging to the genus Acidanthera, of the iris family, having sword-shaped leaves and long tubular flowers.

Nearby words

acid-phosphatase test for semen, acid-reflux test, acid-tongued, acid-washed, acidaminuria, acidanthera, acidemia, acidhead, acidic, acidified serum test, acidify

Origin of acidanthera

< New Latin (1844) < Greek akid- (stem of akís) needle (cognate with Latin acus; see acicula) + New Latin -anthera; see anther, -a²

Also called peacock orchid.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for acidanthera

acidanthera

/ (ˌæsɪˈdænθərə) /

noun

any plant of the African cormous genus Acidanthera, cultivated for its graceful tubular white and red or white and purple flowers, often scented: family Iridaceae

Word Origin for acidanthera

from Greek akis point + New Latin anthera anther, from the shape of the anthers

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012