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lilas

lilac (colour or plant)

noun lee-LAH Rare
Animals & Nature Plants

Origin: French from Arabic lilak, from Persian nilak (bluish), from nil (blue/indigo)

Usage Note

Lilas is both the shrub (un lilas) and the pale purple colour it gives its name to. As a colour adjective it is invariable: des robes lilas (lilac dresses), never lilass. The final s is always silent. In French poetry and song, the lilac is a symbol of spring and fleeting beauty, famously evoking Proust-like memories of childhood gardens.

Examples

"Le jardin embaumait le lilas au printemps."

Natural Translation

The garden was fragrant with lilac in spring.

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