Amaryllids

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A family of flowering plants known for their bulbous roots and often vibrant blossoms, including species like daffodils and snowdrops
2. A group of plants belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family, characterized by their typically large and showy flowers, often found in temperate regions
3. A botanical family that encompasses various bulbous plants, commonly featuring dramatic flowers and known for their ornamental uses in gardens

Etymology: "Amaryllids" is the plural of "amaryllid", a member of the plant family Amaryllidaceae, and it takes its name from the genus Amaryllis. That genus name has a more striking origin than most botanical terms: it comes from the Ancient Greek verb "amarússō", meaning "to dazzle" or "to sparkle", which is also the root of the sense of brightness and glittering light. The name suits the plants well, since their large, trumpet-shaped blooms are among the showiest in the garden. The plural form simply follows the usual English pattern for words that end in a consonant plus "-id" and refers to members of a group. The singular names an individual plant, and the plural names the whole family or several of its members at once.