• Lilac

    Pronunciation

    • US IPA: /ˈlɑɪlÉ™k/

    Origin

    From Arabic ليلك, from Persian نیلک, from نیل (nil, "dark blue"), ultimately from Sanskrit नीला ("dark blue")

    Skeat, A Concise Etymological Dictionary of the English Language, 1895

    Full definition of lilac

    Noun

    lilac

    (plural lilacs)
    1. A large shrub of the genus Syringa, bearing white, pale pink, or purple flowers.
    2. A flower of the lilac shrub.
      • 1907, w, The Younger Set Chapter 5, Breezes blowing from beds of iris quickened her breath with their perfume ; she saw the tufted lilacs sway in the wind, and the streamers of rose-tinted wistaria swinging, all a-glisten with golden bees ; … .
    3. A pale purple colour, the colour of some lilac flowers.

    Adjective

    lilac

    1. (colour) having a pale purple colour.

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