Orchidaceous

Orchidaceous
Orchidaceous Or`chi*da"ceous, a. (Bot.) Pertaining to, or resembling, a natural order ({Orchidace[ae]}) of endogenous plants of which the genus {Orchis} is the type. They are mostly perennial herbs having the stamens and pistils united in a single column, and normally three petals and three sepals, all adherent to the ovary. The flowers are curiously shaped, often resembling insects, the odd or lower petal (called the lip) being unlike the others, and sometimes of a strange and unexpected appearance. About one hundred species occur in the United States, but several thousand in the tropics. [1913 Webster]

Note: Over three hundred genera are recognized. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • orchidaceous — adjective a) Of or pertaining to orchids. In keeping with the orchidaceous theme of the wedding, the decorator draped the walls with lavenders and pinks. b) Characterized by ostentatiousness; showy. The fashion press regarded her red carpet… …   Wiktionary

  • orchidaceous — orchid ► NOUN ▪ a plant of a large family with complex showy flowers. DERIVATIVES orchidaceous adjective. ORIGIN Greek orkhis testicle (because of the shape of the tuber) …   English terms dictionary

  • orchidaceous — adjective Etymology: New Latin Orchidaceae, family name, from Orchis Date: 1838 1. of, relating to, or resembling the orchids 2. showy, ostentatious …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • orchidaceous — /awr ki day sheuhs/, adj. belonging to the plant family Orchidaceae. Cf. orchid family. [1830 40; < NL Orchidace(ae) (see ORCHID, ACEAE) + OUS] * * * …   Universalium

  • orchidaceous — É”rkɪ deɪʃəs / ɔːk adj. resembling an orchid; ostentatious, gaudy …   English contemporary dictionary

  • orchidaceous — or·chi·da·ceous …   English syllables

  • orchidaceous — or•chi•da•ceous [[t]ˌɔr kɪˈdeɪ ʃəs[/t]] adj. pln belonging to the orchid family • Etymology: 1830–40; < NL Orchidace(ae) (see orchid, aceae) + ous …   From formal English to slang

  • orchidaceous — /ɔkəˈdeɪʃəs/ (say awkuh dayshuhs) adjective 1. having two tubers at the base, as plants of the genus Orchis and its allies. 2. relating to the family Orchidaceae …  

  • orchidaceous —   a. pertaining to or like an orchid; exceptionally beautiful; ostentatious; gaudy …   Dictionary of difficult words

  • orchidaceous — …   Useful english dictionary

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