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lilac
[ lahy-luhk, -lahk, -lak ]
/ ˈlaɪ lək, -lɑk, -læk /
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noun
any of various shrubs belonging to the genus Syringa, of the olive family, as S. vulgaris, having large clusters of fragrant purple or white flowers: the state flower of New Hampshire.
pale reddish purple.
adjective
having the color lilac.
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Origin of lilac
First recorded in 1615–25; from obsolete French, from Spanish, from Arabic līlak, from Persian līlak, assimilated variant of nīlak “bluish,” equivalent to nīl “blue, indigo” (from Sanskrit nīla ) + -ak a suffix indicating relationship or origin
Words nearby lilac
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use lilac in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for lilac
lilac
/ (ˈlaɪlək) /
noun
Also called: syringa any of various Eurasian oleaceous shrubs or small trees of the genus Syringa, esp S. vulgaris (common lilac) which has large sprays of purple or white fragrant flowers
French lilac another name for goat's-rue (def. 1)
- a light or moderate purple colour, sometimes with a bluish or reddish tinge
- (as adjective)a lilac carpet
Word Origin for lilac
C17: via French from Spanish, from Arabic līlak, changed from Persian nīlak bluish, from nīl blue
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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