Daffodil | n. [ OE. affodylle, prop., the asphodel, fr. LL. affodillus (cf. D. affodille or OF. asphodile, aphodille, F. asphodèle), L. asphodelus, fr. Gr. 'asfo`delos. The initial d in English is not satisfactorily explained. See Asphodel. ] (Bot.) (a) A plant of the genus Asphodelus. (b) A plant of the genus Narcissus (Narcissus Pseudo-narcissus). It has a bulbous root and beautiful flowers, usually of a yellow hue. Called also daffodilly, daffadilly, daffadowndilly, daffydowndilly, etc. [ 1913 Webster ] With damask roses and daffadillies set. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ] Strow me the ground with daffadowndillies, And cowslips, and kingcups, and loved lilies. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ] A college gown That clad her like an April daffodilly. Tennyson [ 1913 Webster ] And chance-sown daffodil. Whittier. [ 1913 Webster ] |