fleur-de-lis
Americannoun
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a heraldic device somewhat resembling three petals or floral segments of an iris tied by an encircling band.
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the heraldic bearing of the royal family of France.
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the iris flower or plant.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing fleur-de-lis
English Words Derived from French, List 10
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Menu cards embossed with a gold fleur de lis were a nod to the guests of honor.
From Washington Post • Apr. 24, 2018
But this little huskie was extra perfect, with Nicole Kidman’s eyes, a coat like mink and a silver fleur de lis on her pretty forehead.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 27, 2016
The brooch, which remained with the family from the time of Maria's death in 1929 until the 1980s, is comprised of scores of gems set into a shape suggesting a fleur de lis.
From Reuters • Apr. 9, 2015
"The badge does indeed combine the silhouette of the Eiffel Tower with a cradle and the fleur de lis, or lily," explains Tim Pike.
From The Guardian • Aug. 31, 2010
A spear is broken off in his side, but in his last struggle he still defends a shield, marked with the fleur de lis of France.
From Sunny Memories of Foreign Lands, Volume 2 by Stowe, Harriet Beecher
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
