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orchid

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orchid

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

Listen to the pronunciation of orchidlike

\-ˌlīk\ adjective

[orchid illustration]

Learn more about "orchid" and related topics at Britannica.com

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