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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

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

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

From Minstrel Weather by Storm, Marian

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

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