lily definition

(LIsp LibrarY) A C++ class library by Roger Sheldon which gives C++ programmers the capability to write Lisp-style code. Lily's garbage collection mechanism is not sufficient for commercial use however and the documentation is incomplete. It is distributed under the GNU Library General Public License.

Version: 0.1.

FTP.

(01 Apr 1993)

Origin: AS. Lilie, L. Lilium, Gr. Cf. Flower-de-luce.

1. <botany> A plant and flower of the genus Lilium, endogenous bulbous plants, having a regular perianth of six coloured pieces, six stamens, and a superior three-celled ovary.

There are nearly fifty species, all found in the North Temperate zone. Lilium candidum and L. Longiflorum are the common white lilies of gardens; L. Philadelphicum is the wild red lily of the Atlantic States. L. Chalcedonicum is supposed to be the "lily of the field" in our Lord's parable; L. Auratum is the great gold-banded lily of Japan.

2. <botany> A name given to handsome flowering plants of several genera, having some resemblance in colour or form to a true lily, as Pancratium, Crinum, Amaryllis, Nerine, etc.

3. That end of a compass needle which should point to the north; so called as often ornamented with the figure of a lily or fleur-de-lis. "But sailing further, it veers its lily to the west." (Sir T.

<botany> Browne) African lily, a plant of the genus Hyacinthus. Lily iron, a kind of harpoon with a detachable head of peculiar shape, used in capturing swordfish.

<botany> Lily of the valley, a low perennial herb (Convallaria majalis), having a raceme of nodding, fragrant, white flowers. Lily pad, the large floating leaf of the water lily.

<botany> Tiger lily, the Nymphaea, a plant with floating roundish leaves, and large flowers having many petals, usually white, but sometimes pink, red, blue, or yellow.