fleur-de-lis

American  

[flur-dl-ee, -ees, floor-, flœr-duh-lees] / ˌflɜr dlˈi, -ˈis, ˌflʊər-, flœr dəˈlis /

Also fleur-de-lys

noun

• fleurs-de-lis
  plural

1. a heraldic device somewhat resembling three petals or floral segments of an iris tied by an encircling band.

2. the heraldic bearing of the royal family of France.

3. the iris flower or plant.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• fleurs-de-lis
  plural

Etymology

Origin of fleur-de-lis

1300–50; < French; replacing Middle English flourdelis < Anglo-French flour de lis, literally, lily flower

Explanation

A fleur-de-lis is a symbol that's commonly used as a decoration on flags, coats of arms, and even on buildings. The fleur-de-lis is based on the shape of a lily. In French, fleur-de-lis means "lily flower" or "flower of the iris." It's been used for centuries to represent a vast variety of things, including royalty, French cultural heritage, Christianity, light, defense, and female virtue. Its closest association is probably the French monarchy and its coats of arms — the fleur-de-lis has gone on to appear on flags, in college and sports team logos, and in many religious works of art.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

fleur-de-lis fleurs-de-lis

The Nordiques wore their politics on their sleeves, literally, putting the Quebec flag’s fleur-de-lis on their uniforms.

From New York Times ● Jan. 6, 2024

Made of cloth of gold, it is embellished with motifs including fleur-de-lis, as well as imperial eagles, and national floral emblems of red-pink roses, blue thistles and green shamrocks.

From BBC ● May 1, 2023

But this rabbit is at least three times as big as the others, each ear sprouting straight up like the tip of a fleur-de-lis, and it seems remarkably self-possessed for a rabbit.

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 29, 2022

The city’s trademark fleur-de-lis is even stamped on the book jacket.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2021

Each had knotted, carefully combed tassels, fleur-de-lis borders, ornate medallion designs, and minute scalloping amid a motif of connected eight-spoked wheels, all in rust and fire orange.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

Solid gold, with its crosses-pattée and four fleurs-de-lis, this crown is also specifically seen as a symbol of the monarchy in the United Kingdom, incorporated into various insignia and emblems.

From Salon ● May 5, 2023

The St Edward's Crown, made up of a solid gold frame set with rubies, amethysts, sapphires, garnet, topazes and tourmalines, follows its original medieval forebear in having four crosses-pattée and four fleurs-de-lis.

From Reuters ● Dec. 3, 2022

One can easily imagine exiting the snug garret, its annex fronted by fleurs-de-lis done in stained glass, and, far below, stepping into a bistro on Rue d’Argout.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2019

Viewers may notice that the penciled underdrawing is exposed here and there, and that the bands of gold fleurs-de-lis near the bottom edge of the cans are irregularly stamped, not painted.

From New York Times ● May 7, 2015

Cerulean walls hold golden fleurs-de-lis and the princess's royal emblem.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton