edelweiss

edel·weiss

noun \ˈā-d^əl-ˌvīs, -ˌwīs\

Definition of EDELWEISS

: a small alpine perennial composite herb (Leontopodium alpinum) of central and southeast Europe that has a dense woolly white pubescence

Illustration of EDELWEISS

Origin of EDELWEISS

German, from edel noble + weiss white

First Known Use: 1862

Rhymes with EDELWEISS

asking price, break the ice, cockatrice, comma splice, dirty rice, hammer price, imprecise, market price, merchandise, on thin ice, overprice, paradise, point-device, reserve price, roll the dice, sacrifice, Spanish rice, sticker price, underprice, water ice, wellhead price

edelweiss

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum)—Siegfried Eigstler/Shostal Associates

Perennial plant (Leontopodium alpinum) of the aster family (Asteraceae), native to alpine areas of Europe and South America. It has 2–10 yellow flower heads in a dense cluster. Below these flower heads, 6–9 lance-shaped, woolly, white leaves are arranged in the form of a star. Most varieties are ornamentals.