star-of-Bethlehem

[stahr-uh v-beth-lee-uh m, -li-hem]

noun, plural stars-of-Beth·le·hem.

any of several plants belonging to the genus Ornithogalum, of the lily family, having grasslike leaves and clusters of white flowers.

Origin of star-of-Bethlehem

First recorded in 1565–75

Also called summer snowflake.

Star of Bethlehem

noun

the star that guided the Magi to the manger of the infant Jesus in Bethlehem. Matt. 2:1–10.

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

British Dictionary definitions for star-of-bethlehem

star-of-Bethlehem

noun

Also called: starflower a Eurasian liliaceous plant, Ornithogalum umbellatum, naturalized in the eastern US, having narrow leaves and starlike white flowers
any of several similar and related plants

Star of Bethlehem

noun

the star that is supposed to have appeared above Bethlehem at the birth of Christ

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