Main Entry:

or·chid

Pronunciation:

\ˈȯr-kəd\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

irregular from New Latin Orchis

Date:

1845

1 : any of a large family (Orchidaceae, the orchid family) of perennial epiphytic or terrestrial monocotyledonous plants that usually have showy 3-petaled flowers with the middle petal enlarged into a lip and differing from the others in shape and color 2 : a light purple

— or·chid·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

[orchid illustration]