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Showing results for camellia. Search instead for camelia.

camellia

American  
[kuh-meel-yuh, -mee-lee-uh] / kəˈmil jə, -ˈmi li ə /

noun

  1. any of several shrubs of the genus Camellia, especially C. japonica, native to Asia, having glossy evergreen leaves and white, pink, red, or variegated roselike flowers.


camellia British  
/ kəˈmiːlɪə /

noun

  1. Also called: japonica.  any ornamental shrub of the Asian genus Camellia, esp C. japonica, having glossy evergreen leaves and showy roselike flowers, usually white, pink or red in colour: family Theaceae

"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

Etymology

Origin of camellia

1745–55; named after G. J. Camellus (1661–1706), Jesuit missionary, who brought it to Europe; see -ia

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The legacy of camellia growers such as F.M.

From Los Angeles Times Jan. 2, 2025

The curiously curated common camellia from Portugal was a strong runner-up.

From BBC Mar. 20, 2024

A few looks paid homage to the camellia, Chanel's signature flower, and bridal wear, which Lagerfeld was best known for designing and showcasing.

From Salon May 2, 2023

In the 1940s, a son, William Gordon Hayward, began packing red beans and branded the company for his wife’s favorite flower: the camellia.

From New York Times Mar. 13, 2023

The fishpool was in Miss Rachel’s side yard, and it was surrounded by azalea bushes, rose bushes, camellia bushes, and cape jessamine bushes.

From "Go Set a Watchman: A Novel" by Harper Lee

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