fleur-de-lis

 
Pronunciation: /ˌfləːdəˈliː/
(also fleur-de-lys)

noun (plural fleurs-de-lis pronunc. )

  • 1 Art & Heraldry a stylized lily composed of three petals bound together near their bases. It is especially known from the former royal arms of France, in which it appears in gold on a blue field.
  • 2a European iris.
    • Genus Iris, family Iridaceae, in particular I. × germanica ‘Florentina’ (with bluish-white flowers) or I. pseudacorus (the yellow flag)

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French flour de lys 'flower of the lily'