Meaning of gillyflower in English

1. Pronunciation

   /ˈdʒɪliˌflaʊ(ə)r/

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1. Noun

   gillyflower

   Etymology

   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

   Definitions

   1. any of several Old World plants cultivated for their brightly colored flowers
2. 2. Eurasian plant with pink to purple-red spice-scented usually double flowers

   Examples

   • « widely cultivated in many varieties and many colors »