orchid

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun any of numerous plants of the orchid family usually having flowers of unusual shapes and beautiful colors

Etymology

From New Latin Orchideae, Orchidaceae, an irregular formation from Latin orchis, from Ancient Greek ὄρχις (órkhis, “orchid, testicle”) (ostensibly from the shape of the roots). Supplanted Middle English ballokwort (literally “testicle plant”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

orchidaceous plant

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