orchid

or·chid

noun \ˈȯr-kəd\

Definition of ORCHID

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

Illustration of ORCHID

Origin of ORCHID

irregular from New Latin Orchis

First Known Use: 1845

Rhymes with ORCHID

forked

orchid

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Orchid (Polystachya bella).—Sven Samelius

Any of the more than 22,000 species in nearly 1,000 genera of nonwoody perennial plants that make up the family Orchidaceae. Bearing attractive flowers, orchids grow in most of the nonpolar world, especially in tropical regions, in soil or on other plants. Hybrids with showy flowers for the commercial trade come from the genera Cattleya, Cymbidium, Vanda, and Laelia. Flowers vary widely in size, colour, and shape, but all are bilaterally symmetrical and have three sepals. Most orchids photosynthesize, but some live on dead organic material or absorb food from a fungus living in their roots. Vanilla is extracted from the seedpod of the genus Vanilla. Many folk medicines, local beverages, and foods are prepared from parts of orchid plants.