edelweiss

[ eyd-l-vahys, -wahys ]

noun

1. a small composite plant, Leontopodium alpinum, having white woolly leaves and flowers, growing in the high altitudes of the Alps.
2. a liqueur made in Italy, flavored with the extracts of alpine flowers.

edelweiss

/ ˈeɪdəlˌvaɪs /

noun

1. a small alpine flowering plant, Leontopodium alpinum, having white woolly oblong leaves and a tuft of attractive floral leaves surrounding the flowers: family Asteraceae (composites)

Word History and Origins

Origin of edelweiss¹

1860–65; < German, equivalent to edel noble + weiss white

Word History and Origins

Origin of edelweiss¹

C19: German, literally: noble white

Example Sentences

"One night I was blown up here in a great snow storm and I've been here ever since," said Edelweiss.

From Project Gutenberg

"I would be glad to look," said Edelweiss, for he was a very polite little flower and had very pretty manners.

From Project Gutenberg

High on the side of a rocky crag, Franz spied a sprig of edelweiss and was tempted to climb up and pluck it.

From Project Gutenberg

Oh, yes; you shall go, if you like, and one of you shall get me a flower of the edelweiss from some inaccessible crag.

From Project Gutenberg

The edelweiss is a flower which grows upon dizzy heights, blooming under the snow.

From Project Gutenberg