squill

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

noun bulb of the sea squill, which is sliced, dried, and used as an expectorant
noun having dense spikes of small white flowers and yielding a bulb with medicinal properties
noun an Old World plant of the genus Scilla having narrow basal leaves and pink or blue or white racemose flowers

From French scille, from Latin scilla. Doublet of scilla.

"Green eyes, fair skin, pretty figure, famous frontal development," Squills remarked. — Vanity Fair, William Makepeace Thackeray
The gorse showed dots of yellow amongst its prickles, and little brilliant blue squills stuck up their perky faces and gave out a sweet scent. — Wanderfoot (The Dream Ship), Cynthia Stockley
Hollered ''Rah for Collins' until he was hoarse and his mother brought him home and gave him syrup of squills because she thought he had the croup. — In Connection with the De Willoughby Claim, Frances Hodgson Burnett

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