lilac
/ˈlaɪlək/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.11 in modern English
7
Scrabble Score
5
Letters
2
Syllables
4
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A large shrub of the genus Syringa, especially Syringa vulgaris, bearing white, pale-pink, or purple flowers.
name
A female given name from English.
Example Sentences
- "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 mauve-tinted wistaria swinging, all a-glisten with golden bees; she saw a crimson cardinal winging through the foliage, and amorous tanagers flashing like scarlet flames athwart the pines."
- "[…] O death, I cover you over with roses and early lilies, / But mostly and now the lilac that blooms the first, / Copious I break, I break the sprigs from the bushes, / With loaded arms I come, pouring for you, / For you and the coffins all of you O death."
- ""Lilac Kingsmith," I said. "What a neat name.""
- "As he worked he said conversationally: ‘You’re Lilac Larkin, ain’t you? I reckernise you from your photograph.’"
- "Lilac Devere looked at her elderly maiden aunt and sighed."
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *neyH-der.? Sanskrit नील॑ (nī́la)der. Middle Persian 𐭭𐭩𐭫 (nīl) Classical Persian نِیل (nīl) Middle Persian 𐭪 (k /-ak/) Classical Persian ـَک (-ak) Classical Persian لِیلَک (līlak)bor. Arabic لِيلَك (līlak)bor. French lilacbor. English lilac From obsolete French lilac (now lilas), from Arabic لِيلَك (līlak).
Origin
- Source language: French
Word Breakdown
- Root: lilac, لِيلَك
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈlaɪlək/
- British English: /ˈlaɪlək/
Inflected Forms
Derived Forms
Phrases
California lilac
lilac-breasted roller
lilac chaser
lilac persimmon
lilac-throated roller
West Indian lilac
Afghanistan lilac
Australian lilac