orchis

[ awr-kis ]

noun
  1. any orchid.

  2. any of various terrestrial orchids, especially of the genus Orchis, of temperate regions, having spikelike flowers.

Origin of orchis

1
1555–65; <Latin <Greek órchis testicle, plant with roots like testicles

Words Nearby orchis

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British Dictionary definitions for orchis

orchis

/ (ˈɔːkɪs) /


noun
  1. any terrestrial orchid of the N temperate genus Orchis, having fleshy tubers and spikes of typically pink flowers

  2. any of various temperate or tropical orchids of the genus Habenaria, such as the fringed orchis

Origin of orchis

1
C16: via Latin from Greek orkhis testicle; so called from the shape of its roots

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