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]