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