orchid

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See synonyms for orchid on Thesaurus.com

noun

any terrestrial or epiphytic plant of the family Orchidaceae, of temperate and tropical regions, having usually showy flowers.: Compare orchid family.
the flower of any of these plants.

a bluish to reddish purple.

Origin of orchid

1835–45; <New Latin Orchideae (later Orchidaceae) family name, equivalent to Latin orch(is) a plant (see orchis) + -ideae, irregular suffix (cf. -idae); see -id²

Other definitions for orchid- (2 of 2)

orchid-

variant of orchido- before a vowel: orchidology.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use orchid in a sentence

The Colombia trip includes foraging from forests outside Bogotá and eyeing orchids in Medellín (not edible).
The Foraging Wars: Extreme Eating Hits California | Debra A. Klein | January 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
I remember ripening coffee beans hanging down the banks, and masses of wild orchids.
Two Chickens, an Old Guitar, and a Group of Strangers: A Life-Changing Feast in Brazil | Annabel Langbein | November 29, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Banquet tables were bedecked with orchids, candles, and sandalwood fans to prevent sweating in eveningwear.
Donna Karan's Zen Approach to Cancer | Liz Kulze | June 15, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
The dining tables are laden with orchids and crystal and old, heavy silver.
The Bag Lady's Papers, Part III | Alexandra Penney | January 6, 2009 | THE DAILY BEAST
Nearly all valuable, lightweight goods like electronics or perishables (like orchids) now travel by air.
The Next Global Meltdown? | Greg Lindsay, John D. Kasarda | December 2, 2008 | THE DAILY BEAST

In some, waves of silk and ribbon broke over shores of imitation moss from which ravishing hats rose like tropical orchids.
Summer | Edith Wharton
There was a profusion of silver, very beautiful glass, and a wonderful cluster of orchids.
The Double Four | E. Phillips Oppenheim
Th' ammunition hoists ar-re filled with American beauty roses an' orchids.
Mr. Dooley Says | Finley Dunne
At the last minute the table had had to be redecorated, because Ferdie had been seized with a desire to have orchids.
Happy House | Betsey Riddle, Freifrau von Hutten zum Stolzenberg
Marquis Gonzaga sent me the loveliest bunch of flowers, great orchids tied with a beautiful ribbon.
Polly the Pagan | Isabel Anderson

British Dictionary definitions for orchid

orchid

/ (ˈɔːkɪd) /

noun

any terrestrial or epiphytic plant of the family Orchidaceae, often having flowers of unusual shapes and beautiful colours, specialized for pollination by certain insects: See bee orchid, burnt-tip orchid, fly orchid, frog orchid, lady orchid, lizard orchid, man orchid, monkey orchid, purple-fringed orchid, pyramidal orchid, scented orchid, spider orchid, spotted orchid

Origin of orchid

C19: from New Latin Orchideae; see orchis

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

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