Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A genus of terrestrial orchids, type of the tribe Ophrydeæ, belonging to the subtribe Serapideæ, and known by the two pollen-glands inclosed in separate sacs.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun a hardy genus of terrestrial orchids of Europe and northern Africa and western Asia
Etymologies
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Examples
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Brown stalks of broomrape were still standing, and I lighted upon a lingering bee-ophrys, a plant which by its amazing mimicry makes one look at it with awe as if it were something supernatural.
Wanderings by southern waters, eastern Aquitaine Edward Harrison Barker 1885
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It was a great relief when John came in, and instantly took up the defence of the ophrys, making out its species so indisputably, that Mrs. Nesbit had no refuge but in saying, specimens were worthless that had not been gathered by the collector, and Lady Martindale made all becoming acknowledgments.
Heartsease, Or, the Brother's Wife Charlotte Mary Yonge 1862
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An ingenious botanist, after reading this article, was so kind as to send me specimens of the _fly_ orchis, _ophrys muscifera_, and of the
Curiosities of Literature, Vol. 1 (of 3) Isaac Disraeli 1807
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_Ophrys nidus avis_, birds 'nest ophrys -- in the Long Lith under the shady beeches among the dead leaves; in Great Dorton among the bushes, and on the Hanger plentifully.
The Natural History of Selborne, Vol. 2 Gilbert White 1756
missanthropist commented on the word ophrys
Greek Eyebrow, hairy.
July 9, 2008