posy

[poh-zee]

noun, plural po·sies.

a flower, nosegay, or bouquet.
Archaic. a brief motto or the like, as one inscribed within a ring.

Origin of posy

1400–50; late Middle English; syncopated variant of poesy

Can be confusedpoesy posey posy

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for posies

flower, sentiment, bouquet, nosegay, blossom, verse, motto, corsage, boutonniere

Examples from the Web for posies

Contemporary Examples of posies

The Queen was presented with posies of flowers by children as she left the chapel.
Sophie Dazzles in Electric Blue at Royal's Easter Service
Tom Sykes
March 31, 2013

Historical Examples of posies

She liked Cynthy to come in with the posies and say something bright.
A Little Girl in Old Salem
Amanda Minnie Douglas
An' you left all them things up there, an' the trees, an' the posies, an' everything like that way.
Reels and Spindles
Evelyn Raymond
And to think that as a boy he was wont to bring me posies, and wear my colors!
Margery [Gred], Complete
Georg Ebers
But I shouldn't wonder but what them posies heartened the chap up a bit.
New Treasure Seekers
E. (Edith) Nesbit
Miss Sallie was busy with her posies down yonder near the gate.
Blue Ridge Country
Jean Thomas

British Dictionary definitions for posies

posy

noun plural -sies

a small bunch of flowers or a single flower; nosegay
archaic a brief motto or inscription, esp one on a trinket or a ring

Word Origin for posy

C16: variant of poesy

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

Word Origin and History for posies

posy

also posey, 1530s, "line of verse engraved on the inner surface of a ring," from poesy "poetry; a passage of poetry," which is recorded in this sense from early 15c. Meaning "flower, bouquet" first recorded 1570s, from notion of the language of flowers.