LILAC Definition & Meaning

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lilac

[ lahy-luhk, -lahk, -lak ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

any of various shrubs belonging to the genus Syringa, of the olive family, as S. vulgaris, having large clusters of fragrant purple or white flowers: the state flower of New Hampshire.
pale reddish purple.

adjective

having the color lilac.

lilac

/ ˈ��ɪ��ə�� /

noun

Also calledsyringa any of various Eurasian oleaceous shrubs or small trees of the genus Syringa, esp S. vulgaris ( common lilac ) which has large sprays of purple or white fragrant flowers
French lilac
another name for goat's-rue
1. a light or moderate purple colour, sometimes with a bluish or reddish tinge
2. ( as adjective )
  a lilac carpet

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of lilac¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from obsolete French, from Spanish, from Arabic ��ī��, from Persian ��ī��, assimilated variant of ��ī�� “bluish,” equivalent to ��ī�� “blue, indigo” (from Sanskrit ��ī��a ) + -ak a suffix indicating relationship or origin

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of lilac¹

C17: via French from Spanish, from Arabic ��ī��, changed from Persian ��ī�� bluish, from ��ī�� blue

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Once cooled, they went into crinkly cellophane bags from Party Central, each one tied with a bit of lilac curling ribbon.

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Mace said she’d build a concrete house and the yard would have oak, sycamore, toyon, lemonade berry and lilac.

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But we find Olga, already waiting by the roadside, wrapped up in a lilac winter coat and furry hood.

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Here are plants and flowers to enjoy, one for every month of the year, from lilacs, camellias and poinsettias to native buckwheat, wildflowers and toyon.

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For floral joy throughout the year, set reminders now to take some time in the coming months to literally stop and smell the roses ... or lilacs.

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