orchidaceous, a.
(ɔːkɪˈdeɪʃəs)
[f. mod.Bot. L. Orchidace-æ, substituted by Lindley (Veget. Kingd. 173) for the earlier Orchideæ: see orchideous, and -aceous.]
1. Belonging to the family Orchidaceæ: see orchid.
| 1838 Penny Cycl. XI. 511/2 Gynandria..The principal part of the class consists of Orchidaceous plants. 1859 Darwin Orig. Spec. iii. (1878) 57 Nearly all our orchidaceous plants absolutely require the visits of insects..to fertilise them. 1882 Garden 20 May 348/3 Cattleya gigas..is now within the reach of all who grow Orchidaceous plants. |
2. Resembling an orchid in some way, esp. in being showy.
| 1864 C. M. Yonge Trial I. 84, I have read of a woman with an orchidaceous face. 1894 R. Le Gallienne Prose Fancies 34 The simple old type of manhood is lost long since in endless orchidaceous variation. 1897 Sat. Rev. 13 Feb. 170 Engaged to be orchidaceous and flamboyant as the Improper Person of Babylon. |