amaranth

[am-uh-ranth]

noun

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

1545–55; < Latin amarantus, alteration of Greek amáranton unfading flower, noun use of neuter singular of amárantos, equivalent to a- a-⁶ + maran- (stem of maraínein to fade) + -tos verbal adjective suffix; -th- < Greek ánthos flower

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

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.
How to Buy Gluten-Free Without Getting Duped
DailyBurn
April 12, 2014

Historical Examples of amaranth

Their heads were crowned with garlands of amaranth and roses.
Imogen
William Godwin
In his case the amaranth had been grafted in, and the plant was blossoming again.
Earl Hubert's Daughter
Emily Sarah Holt
For her the amaranth of the empyreal Heaven is as comfortless as the adamant of Hell.
Milton
Sir Walter Alexander Raleigh
Are there really fields of amaranth for those who can find them?
Drolls From Shadowland
J. H. Pearce
The amaranth was her chosen emblem, and "Non moritura" her motto.
The Duchess of Trajetto
Anne Manning

British Dictionary definitions for amaranth

amaranth

noun

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

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

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

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."