amaranth
- an imaginary, undying flower.
- 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.
- Chemistry. a purplish-red, water-soluble powder, C20H11N2O10Na3, an azo dye used chiefly to color pharmaceuticals, food, and garments.
- purpleheart.
Origin of amaranth
Examples from the Web for amaranth
Contemporary Examples of amaranth
Look for:Purchase breads containing seeds and a mixture of healthy grains (like millet and amaranth) other than just brown rice.
Historical Examples of amaranth
Their heads were crowned with garlands of amaranth and roses.
ImogenWilliam Godwin
In his case the amaranth had been grafted in, and the plant was blossoming again.
Earl Hubert's DaughterEmily Sarah Holt
For her the amaranth of the empyreal Heaven is as comfortless as the adamant of Hell.
MiltonSir Walter Alexander Raleigh
Are there really fields of amaranth for those who can find them?
Drolls From ShadowlandJ. H. Pearce
The amaranth was her chosen emblem, and "Non moritura" her motto.
The Duchess of TrajettoAnne Manning
amaranth
- poetic an imaginary flower that never fades
- any of numerous tropical and temperate plants of the genus Amaranthus, having tassel-like heads of small green, red, or purple flowers: family AmaranthaceaeSee also love-lies-bleeding, tumbleweed, pigweed (def. 1)
- a synthetic red food colouring (E123), used in packet soups, cake mixes, etc
Word Origin for amaranth
Word Origin and History for amaranth
1610s, from French amarante, from Latin amarantus, from Greek amarantos, name of an unfading flower, literally "everlasting," from a- "not" + stem of marainein "die away, waste away, quench, extinguish," from PIE *mer- "to rub away, harm" (see nightmare). In classical use, a poet's word for an imaginary flower that never fades. It was applied to a genus of ornamental plants 1550s. Ending influenced by plant names with Greek -anthos "flower."