gillyflower

noun gil·ly·flow·er \ˈji-lē-ˌflau̇(-ə)r\

Definition of GILLYFLOWER

: carnation 2

Origin of GILLYFLOWER

by folk etymology from Middle English gilofre clove, from Anglo-French, alteration of Old French girofle, from Latin caryophyllum, from Greek karyophyllon, from karyon nut + phyllon leaf — more at careen, blade

First Known Use: 1551

Rhymes with GILLYFLOWER

coffee hour, cooling tower, credit hour, flower power, golden shower, happy hour, ivory tower, motive power, police power, quarter hour, staying power, trumpet flower, virgin's bower, water tower, zero hour

Learn More About GILLYFLOWER

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about "gillyflower"

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