'gilliflower' definitions:

Definition of 'gilliflower'

From: GCIDE
  • Gillyflower \Gil"ly*flow`er\, n. [OE. gilofre, gilofer, clove, OF. girofre, girofle, F. girofle: cf. F. girofl['e]e gillyflower, fr. girofle, Gr. ? clove tree; ? nut + ? leaf, akin to E. foliage. Cf. Caryophyllus, July-flower.] [Written also gilliflower.] (Bot.)
  • 1. A name given by old writers to the clove pink ({Dianthus Caryophyllus}) but now to the common stock ({Matthiola incana}), a cruciferous plant with showy and fragrant blossoms, usually purplish, but often pink or white. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. A kind of apple, of a roundish conical shape, purplish red color, and having a large core.
  • Clove gillyflower, the clove pink.
  • Marsh gillyflower, the ragged robin ({Lychnis Flos-cuculi}).
  • Queen's gillyflower, or Winter gillyflower, damewort.
  • Sea gillyflower, the thrift (Armeria vulgaris).
  • Wall gillyflower, the wallflower (Cheiranthus Cheiri).
  • Water gillyflower, the water violet. [1913 Webster]