from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Tulip \Tu"lip\ (t[=u]"l[i^]p), n. [F. tulipe, OF. also tulipan,
It. tulipano, tulipa, from Turk. tulbend, dulbend, literally,
a turban, Per. dulband; -- so called from the resemblance of
the form of this flower to a turban. See {Turban}.] (Bot.)
Any plant of the liliaceous genus {Tulipa}. Many varieties
are cultivated for their beautiful, often variegated flowers.
[1913 Webster]
{Tulip tree}.
(a) A large American tree ({Liriodendron tulipifera}) of the
magnolia family ({Magnoliaceae}) bearing tuliplike
flowers. See {Liriodendron}.
(b) A West Indian malvaceous tree ({Paritium tiliaceum} syn.
{Hibiscus tiliaceum}).
[1913 Webster + PJC]