orchis
Americannoun
-
any orchid.
-
any of various terrestrial orchids, especially of the genus Orchis, of temperate regions, having spikelike flowers.
noun
-
any terrestrial orchid of the N temperate genus Orchis, having fleshy tubers and spikes of typically pink flowers
-
any of various temperate or tropical orchids of the genus Habenaria, such as the fringed orchis
Etymology
Origin of orchis
1555–65; < Latin < Greek órchis testicle, plant with roots like testicles
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.
The same can be said of salep, a fine powder ground from dried orchis tubers used in the Middle East to thicken ice cream.
From Newsweek
He saw an orchis and hastily averted his eyes.
From My Impressions of America by Asquith, Margot
The orchis is remarkable for its double bulbous roots and its agreeable perfume; we may therefore justify the idea that the Dudaïm of the Jews was a species of this plant.
From Curiosities of Medical Experience by Millingen, J. G. (John Gideon)
England has a man orchis and a lady orchis, but neither of them really suits the name, for their flowers have rather the appearance of a winged insect.
From Chatterbox, 1906 by Clarke, J. Erskine (John Erskine)
Several species of the singular orchis tribe are in bloom during this month.
From Harper's Young People, July 13, 1880 An Illustrated Weekly by Various
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.
