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.
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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}.
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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.
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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.
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The choice and flower of all things profitable the
Psalms do more briefly contain. --Hooker.
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The flower of the chivalry of all Spain. --Southey.
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A simple maiden in her flower
Is worth a hundred coats of arms. --Tennyson.
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4. Grain pulverized; meal; flour. [Obs.]
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The flowers of grains, mixed with water, will make a
sort of glue. --Arbuthnot.
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5. pl. (Old Chem.) A substance in the form of a powder,
especially when condensed from sublimation; as, the
flowers of sulphur.
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6. A figure of speech; an ornament of style.
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7. pl. (Print.) Ornamental type used chiefly for borders
around pages, cards, etc. --W. Savage.
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8. pl. Menstrual discharges. --Lev. xv. 24.
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{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.
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