Flower pecker

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Flower \Flow"er\ (flou"[~e]r), n. [OE. flour, OF. flour, flur,
   flor, F. fleur, fr. L. flos, floris. Cf. {Blossom},
   {Effloresce}, {Floret}, {Florid}, {Florin}, {Flour},
   {Flourish}.]
   1. In the popular sense, the bloom or blossom of a plant; the
      showy portion, usually of a different color, shape, and
      texture from the foliage.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Bot.) That part of a plant destined to produce seed, and
      hence including one or both of the sexual organs; an organ
      or combination of the organs of reproduction, whether
      inclosed by a circle of foliar parts or not. A complete
      flower consists of two essential parts, the stamens and
      the pistil, and two floral envelopes, the corolla and
      callyx. In mosses the flowers consist of a few special
      leaves surrounding or subtending organs called archegonia.
      See {Blossom}, and {Corolla}.
      [1913 Webster]

   Note: If we examine a common flower, such for instance as a
         geranium, we shall find that it consists of: First, an
         outer envelope or calyx, sometimes tubular, sometimes
         consisting of separate leaves called sepals; secondly,
         an inner envelope or corolla, which is generally more
         or less colored, and which, like the calyx, is
         sometimes tubular, sometimes composed of separate
         leaves called petals; thirdly, one or more stamens,
         consisting of a stalk or filament and a head or anther,
         in which the pollen is produced; and fourthly, a
         pistil, which is situated in the center of the flower,
         and consists generally of three principal parts; one or
         more compartments at the base, each containing one or
         more seeds; the stalk or style; and the stigma, which
         in many familiar instances forms a small head, at the
         top of the style or ovary, and to which the pollen must
         find its way in order to fertilize the flower. --Sir J.
         Lubbock.
         [1913 Webster]

   3. The fairest, freshest, and choicest part of anything; as,
      the flower of an army, or of a family; the state or time
      of freshness and bloom; as, the flower of life, that is,
      youth.
      [1913 Webster]

            The choice and flower of all things profitable the
            Psalms do more briefly contain.       --Hooker.
      [1913 Webster]

            The flower of the chivalry of all Spain. --Southey.
      [1913 Webster]

            A simple maiden in her flower
            Is worth a hundred coats of arms.     --Tennyson.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. Grain pulverized; meal; flour. [Obs.]
      [1913 Webster]

            The flowers of grains, mixed with water, will make a
            sort of glue.                         --Arbuthnot.
      [1913 Webster]

   5. pl. (Old Chem.) A substance in the form of a powder,
      especially when condensed from sublimation; as, the
      flowers of sulphur.
      [1913 Webster]

   6. A figure of speech; an ornament of style.
      [1913 Webster]

   7. pl. (Print.) Ornamental type used chiefly for borders
      around pages, cards, etc. --W. Savage.
      [1913 Webster]

   8. pl. Menstrual discharges. --Lev. xv. 24.
      [1913 Webster]

   {Animal flower} (Zool.) See under {Animal}.

   {Cut flowers}, flowers cut from the stalk, as for making a
      bouquet.

   {Flower bed}, a plat in a garden for the cultivation of
      flowers.

   {Flower beetle} (Zool.), any beetle which feeds upon flowers,
      esp. any one of numerous small species of the genus
      {Meligethes}, family {Nitidulid[ae]}, some of which are
      injurious to crops.

   {Flower bird} (Zool.), an Australian bird of the genus
      {Anthornis}, allied to the honey eaters.

   {Flower bud}, an unopened flower.

   {Flower clock}, an assemblage of flowers which open and close
      at different hours of the day, thus indicating the time.
      

   {Flower head} (Bot.), a compound flower in which all the
      florets are sessile on their receptacle, as in the case of
      the daisy.

   {Flower pecker} (Zool.), one of a family ({Dic[ae]id[ae]}) of
      small Indian and Australian birds. They resemble humming
      birds in habits.

   {Flower piece}.
      (a) A table ornament made of cut flowers.
      (b) (Fine Arts) A picture of flowers.

   {Flower stalk} (Bot.), the peduncle of a plant, or the stem
      that supports the flower or fructification.
      [1913 Webster]