dianthus

[ dahy-an-thuh s ]

/ daɪˈæn θəs /

noun, plural di·an·thus·es.

any of numerous plants belonging to the genus Dianthus, of the pink family, as the carnation or sweet william.

Nearby words

Origin of dianthus

< New Latin (Linnaeus) < Greek Di(ós) of Zeus (genitive of Zeús) + ánthos flower

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

Examples from the Web for dianthus

Nearly every form and colour of Dianthus are popular favourites, and hardly any garden is without some of them.
Hardy Perennials and Old Fashioned Flowers|John Wood
Many varieties of Dianthus claim attention for their elegant forms and splendour of colouring.
The Culture of Vegetables and Flowers From Seeds and Roots, 16th Edition|Sutton and Sons
Dianthus (carnation and pink) Gypsophila, Lychnis and others, are garden plants.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 4|Various
It has lately been introduced into gardens under the name of Dianthus "mousseux," but is not likely to find favour with gardeners.
Vegetable Teratology|Maxwell T. Masters

Dianthus, dī-an′thus, n. the genus of herbaceous flowers to which carnations and pinks belong.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D)|Various

British Dictionary definitions for dianthus

dianthus

/ (daɪˈænθəs) /

noun plural -thuses

any Eurasian caryophyllaceous plant of the widely cultivated genus Dianthus, such as the carnation, pink, and sweet william

Word Origin for dianthus

C19: New Latin, from Greek di- 1 + anthos flower

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 dianthus

Dianthus

1849, from Modern Latin (Linnaeus), literally "flower of Zeus," from Greek Dios, genitive of Zeus "Zeus" (see Zeus) + anthos "flower" (see anther).