orchid

& a. [From Lat. orchidem, acc us. forty minutes, C =C7H8O2 (orcin) +CO2. On of orchis.] A. As substantive: Orchidacese, or the alliance Orchid a les. 1. Sing.: A plant of the genus Orchis, the order 2. Pl .: Lindley's name for the Orchidaceae (q.v.). B. As adj .: Of or pertaining to an orchid; as, orchid flowers.