Subscriber login


Forgot your password?

Library card login

Other

gillyflower


(also gilliflower)
Definition of gillyflower

noun

  • any of a number of fragrant flowers, such as the wallflower or white stock.
  • (also clove gillyflower) archaic a clove-scented pink or carnation. See clove1 (sense 3).

Origin:

Middle English gilofre (in the sense 'clove'), from Old French gilofre, girofle, via medieval Latin from Greek karuophullon (from karuon 'nut' + phullon 'leaf'). The ending was altered by association with flower, but gilliver survived in dialect

gillyflower in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of gillyflower in the US English dictionary
  |  Cite

Word of the day

synodic

/ sɪˈnɒdɪk /
adjective
relating to or involving the conjunction of celestial objects …