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lily-white

adjective \ ˈli-lē-ˈhwīt , -ˈwīt \

Definition of lily-white

1 : white as a lily
2 : characterized by or favoring the exclusion of blacks especially from politics
3 : irreproachable, pure

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First Known Use of lily-white

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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2

lily-white

noun

Definition of lily-white

: a member of a lily-white political organization

First Known Use of lily-white

circa 1903

in the meaning defined above

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LILY-WHITE Defined for English Language Learners

lily-white

adjective

Definition of lily-white for English Language Learners

  • : very white

  • : completely without fault or blame : morally pure

  • : consisting entirely or mostly of white people

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