daisy

 
Pronunciation: /ˈdeɪzi/

noun (plural daisies)

  • a small European grassland plant which has flowers with a yellow disc and white rays.
    • Bellis perennis, family Compositae (or Asteraceae; the daisy family). The plants of this large family (known as composites) are distinguished by having composite flower heads consisting of numerous disc florets, ray florets, or both; they include many weeds (dandelions, thistles) and garden flowers (asters, chrysanthemums, dahlias)
  • used in names of other plants of the daisy family, e.g. Michaelmas daisy, Shasta daisy.

Phrases

be (as) fresh as a daisy

be healthy and full of energy: you look fresh as a daisy!

be pushing up (the) daisies

informal be dead and buried: his heart condition will see him pushing up the daisies at a young age

Origin:

Old English dæges ēage 'day's eye' (because the flower opens in the morning and closes at night)