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amaryllis

[ am-uh-ril-is ]
/ ˌæm əˈrɪl ɪs /
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noun
any of several bulbous plants of the genus Hippeastrum, especially H. puniceum, which has large red or pink flowers and is popular as a houseplant.Compare amaryllis family.
Also called belladonna lily, naked lady . a related plant, Amaryllis belladonna, having clusters of usually rose-colored flowers.
any of several other similar or related plants.
Amaryllis, a shepherdess or country girl, especially in classical and later pastoral poetry.
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Origin of amaryllis

First recorded in 1785–95; from Latin: name of a shepherdess in Vergil's Eclogues

Other definitions for amaryllis (2 of 2)

Amaryllis
[ am-uh-ril-is ]
/ ˌæm əˈrɪl ɪs /

noun
a female given name.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use amaryllis in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for amaryllis (1 of 2)

amaryllis
/ (ˌæməˈrɪlɪs) /

noun
Also called: belladonna lily an amaryllidaceous plant, Amaryllis belladonna, native to southern Africa and having large lily-like reddish or white flowers
any of several related plants, esp hippeastrum

Word Origin for amaryllis

C18: from New Latin, from Latin: named after Amaryllis

British Dictionary definitions for amaryllis (2 of 2)

Amaryllis
/ (ˌæməˈrɪlɪs) /

noun
(in pastoral poetry) a name for a shepherdess or country girl
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
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