from
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)
orchis
n 1: any of various deciduous terrestrial orchids having fleshy
tubers and flowers in erect terminal racemes
2: one of the two male reproductive glands that produce
spermatozoa and secrete androgens; "she kicked him in the
balls and got away" [syn: {testis}, {testicle}, {orchis},
{ball}, {ballock}, {bollock}, {nut}, {egg}]
from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Orchis \Or"chis\, prop. n.; pl. {Orchises}. [L., fr. Gr. ? a
testicle, the orchis; -- so called from its tubers.]
[1913 Webster]
1. (Bot.) A genus of endogenous plants growing in the North
Temperate zone, and consisting of about eighty species.
They are perennial herbs growing from a tuber (beside
which is usually found the last year's tuber also), and
are valued for their showy flowers. See {Orchidaceous}.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Bot.) Any plant of the same family with the orchis; an
orchid.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The common names, such as {bee orchis}, {fly orchis},
{butterfly orchis}, etc., allude to the peculiar form
of the flower.
[1913 Webster]