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

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

If you’ve been to New Orleans, you’ve seen the fleur-de-lis.

From New York Times ● Jan. 21, 2022

A stained-glass window bears a fleur-de-lis pattern and a celluloid film strip.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 15, 2021

It was of azure sarsenet, hand-embroidered in gold thread with the numerous small fleur-de-lis of ancient France.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

Most days, Mr. Voiles said, he pedalled the animals up to a hill above the Mississippi River where he braids crosses, fleurs-de-lis and other items, which he sells to pay for pet food and rent.

From New York Times ● Feb. 21, 2024

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

Rounding another bend, the driveway reached a tall, wrought-iron fence topped with fleurs-de-lis.

From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull