See Also: lilac(medicine)
lilac(dictionary)
lilac(encyclopedia)
lilac(dictionary)

lilac (iou)



lilac noun & adjective. . E17.
[Obsolete French (now lilas) ult. from Persian lilak (whence also Turkish leylak) var. of nilak bluish, from nil blue + dim. suffix -ak.]
A. noun.
A shrub or small tree, Syringa vulgaris, of the olive family, cultivated for its fragrant blossoms, which are typically of a pale pinkish-violet colour; collect. flowering sprays of this plant. Also (usu. with specifying word), (flowering sprays of) any of various other shrubs or trees belonging to this genus or thought to resemble the lilac. E17.
Persian lilac the azedarac, Melia azedarach.
A pale pinkish-violet colour. L18.
The scent of lilac, esp. as used in cosmetics. L19.
b. adjective. Of the colour lilac. E19.
lilac-breasted roller a roller, Coracias caudata, of eastern and southern Africa.
Country Life Full-skirted lilac dress.
lilacky adjective resembling or suggestive of lilac, of a colour resembling lilac M19.