star-of-Bethlehem

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

/ ˈstɑr əvˈbɛθ li əm, -lɪˌhɛm /

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.

Definition for star-of-bethlehem (2 of 2)

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. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for star-of-bethlehem (1 of 2)

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

British Dictionary definitions for star-of-bethlehem (2 of 2)

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