lilac
Use Lilac in a sentence
lək, -lɑk, -læk noun
1.
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.
2.
pale reddish purple.
adjective
3.
having the color lilac.
Origin:
1615–25; < Spanish < Arabic līlak < Persian, assimilated variant of nīlak bluish, equivalent to nīl blue, indigo (< Sanskrit nīla) + -ak suffix of appurtenance
1615–25; < Spanish < Arabic līlak < Persian, assimilated variant of nīlak bluish, equivalent to nīl blue, indigo (< Sanskrit nīla) + -ak suffix of appurtenance
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To lilac
Collins
World English Dictionary
lilac (ˈlaɪlək) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | Also called: syringa 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 |
| 2. | French lilac another name for goat's-rue |
| 3. | a. a light or moderate purple colour, sometimes with a bluish or reddish tinge |
| b. (as adjective): a lilac carpet | |
| [C17: via French from Spanish, from Arabic līlak, changed from Persian nīlak bluish, from nīl blue] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
00:10
Lilac
is always a great word to know.
So is slumgullion. Does it mean:
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
| a gadget; dingus; thingumbob. |
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
lilac
1625, from Fr. lilac "shrub of genus Syringa with mauve flowers," from Sp. lilac, from Arabic lilak, from Pers. lilak, variant of nilak "bluish," from nil "indigo" (cf. Skt. nilah "dark blue"), of unknown origin. As a color name, attested from 1791; as a scent, from 1895.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
It performs best in traditional cooler lilac-growing regions.
It might be alluring, but a rare flower hat jelly's lilac-tipped fringe can deliver a painful sting.
Lilac-breasted roller shows off its amazing colors in the bright sunlight.
His customers hug him and hand him bundles of lilac blossoms or fresh eggs to be given to the next stop down the line.
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