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lady's-tresses

American

[ley-deez-tres-iz] / ˈleɪ dizˌtrɛs ɪz /

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

plural

lady's-tresses

any orchid of the genus Spiranthes, having spikes of small flowers.

lady's-tresses British

noun

(functioning as singular or plural) any of various orchids of the genera Spiranthes or Goodyera , having spikes of small white fragrant flowers

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of lady's-tresses

First recorded in 1540–50

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.

Autumn lady's-tresses, the latest flowering UK orchid species, also had a very good year thanks to the cold wet May.

From BBC • Dec. 26, 2021

Among the green bogs the fragrant lady’s-tresses wear the white timidity of April, and the three petals of the enameled arrowhead flower are dusty with gold.

From Minstrel Weather by Storm, Marian

He comes with lady’s-tresses, pussy willows, and unfurling lily pads.

From Minstrel Weather by Storm, Marian

Returning to the open park in front of Cranbury, there occurs that fitfully blooming plant, lady’s-tresses - Neottia Spiralis autumnalis - and a profusion of brown-winged orchis and cowslips.

From John Keble's Parishes by Yonge, Charlotte Mary

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023