amaryllis

[ am-uh-ril-is ]

/ ˌæm əˈrɪl ɪs /

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.

(initial capital letter) a shepherdess or country girl, especially in classical and later pastoral poetry.

Nearby words

amaretto, amarillo, amarine, amarna, amaryllidaceous, amaryllis, amaryllis family, amarynceus, amasa, amasias, amass

Origin of amaryllis

1785–95; < Latin: name of a shepherdess in Vergil's Eclogues

Definition 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. 2019

Examples from the Web for amaryllis

He also wrote "Red Deer," "Amaryllis," and a quantity of papers which have yet to be collected and published.
The Eulogy of Richard Jefferies|Walter Besant
As these thoughts ran through her head, Amaryllis frowned between her eyebrows.
Ambrotox and Limping Dick|Oliver Fleming
Amaryllis could not know that her very truculence was a fan to his flame.
Ambrotox and Limping Dick|Oliver Fleming
Sometime in mid-morning he appeared in the house of Amaryllis and sent a servant to her asking her to breakfast with him.
The City of Delight|Elizabeth Miller

He will conduct us to the house of Amaryllis the Seleucid, who is pledged to the Maccabee's cause.
The City of Delight|Elizabeth Miller

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

Word Origin and History for amaryllis

amaryllis

autumn-flowering bulbs, 1794, adopted by Linnaeus from Latin, from Greek Amaryllis, typical name of a country girl or shepherdess (in Theocritus, Virgil, Ovid, etc.).