ˈlɪlɪ n. (pl. -ies) 1 a
any bulbous plant of
the genus Lilium
with large trumpet-shaped
often spotted flowers on a
tall slender stem, e.g. the
madonna lily
and tiger lily. b any of
several other plants of the
family Liliaceae with
similar flowers, e.g. the
African lily. c the
water lily. 2 a
person or
thing of
special whiteness or
purity. 3 a
heraldic fleur-de-lis. 4 (attrib.) a delicately
white (a lily hand). b
pallid. ølily-livered
cowardly. lily of the
valley any
liliaceous plant of the genus Convallaria, with
oval leaves in pairs and racemes of white bell-shaped
fragrant flowers. lily-pad a
floating leaf of a water lily. lily-white 1 as white as a lily. 2
faultless. øølilied adj. [OE lilie f. L lilium prob. f. Gk leirion]