Lilac Definition

līlək, -lŏk, -lăk

lilacs

noun

lilacs

Any of a genus (Syringa) of hardy shrubs or trees of the olive family, with large clusters of tiny, fragrant flowers ranging in color from white, through many shades of lavender, to deep crimson.

Webster's New World

The flower of this plant.

Webster's New World

Pale purple.

Webster's New World

adjective

Of a pale-purple color.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Synonyms:
lilac-colored
lavender

Other Word Forms of Lilac

Noun

Singular:

lilac

Plural:

lilacs

Origin of Lilac

Obsolete French from Arabic līlak from Middle Persian nīlak from nīl indigo from Sanskrit nīlī from nīla- dark blue

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Arabic ليلك (lÄ«lak), from Persian نیلک (nilak), from نیل (nil, “dark blue"), ultimately from Sanskrit नीला (“dark blue")

From Wiktionary