daffodil

/ˈdæfəˌdɪl/

Etymology

Variant of Middle English affodill (“ramson”), from Medieval Latin affodillus, from Latin asphodelus, from Ancient Greek ἀσφόδελος (asphódelos), of Pre-Greek origin. The initial d- is perhaps from merging of the article in Dutch de affodil, the Netherlands being a source for bulbs (compare adder, apron, newt, nickname, orange and umpire for this rebracketing process). Doublet of asphodel.

Why this word is great

DAFFODIL — [Noun] A bulbous plant of the genus Narcissus, with yellow flowers and a trumpet-shaped corona, especially Narcissus pseudonarcissus, the national flower of Wales. Variant of Middle English affodill ("ramson"), from Medieval Latin affodillus, from Latin asphodelus, from Ancient Greek ἀσφόδελος (asphódelos), of Pre-Greek origin. The initial d- is perhaps from merging of the article in Dutch de affodil. Unlike "asphodel" (which belongs to a different genus, pale and funereal) or "jonquil" (a specific Narcissus, petite and perfumed), the daffodil is the common herald of spring—bright, unpretentious, and stubbornly cheerful. It is the gold coin scattered across wet meadows, the sun’s echo trapped in a stem, the flower that nods as if agreeing with the wind’s idle gossip. A reminder that even the humblest things can outshine myth.

adj

  1. Of a brilliant yellow color, like that of a daffodil.

name

  1. A female given name from English.“"Pansy would be his wife," Delia guessed. "Yes, and the baby's name is Daffodil, can you believe it?" "There's a baby?" "And it wasn't even a springtime baby! It was born in October!"”

noun

  1. A bulbous plant of the genus Narcissus, with yellow flowers and a trumpet shaped corona, especially Narcissus pseudonarcissus, the national flower of Wales.“When daffadils begin to peere, / With heigh the Doxy ouer the dale, / Why then comes in the ſweet o’ the yeere, / For the red blood raigns in yͤ winters pale.”
  2. A brilliant yellow color, like that of a daffodil.“Where ships of purple gently toss / On seas of daffodil, / Fantastic sailors mingle, / And then—the wharf is still.”