amaranth
amaranth Lexical Profile
• noun
Any plant of the genus Amaranthus, native largely to the Americas, characterized by dense, tightly clustered flowers and often cultivated globally for its nutritious, gluten-free seeds and edible leaves.
"Ancient Mesoamerican cultures relied heavily on amaranth as a staple grain in their daily diet."
A reddish-rose to deep purplish-red color.
"The designer chose a striking shade of amaranth for the upholstery to add a bold pop of color to the room."
An imaginary, mythical flower that never fades or dies, frequently referenced in classical poetry and literature.
"In Milton's epic poem, the angels wear crowns of amaranth to symbolize immortality."
• adjective
Having a deep purplish-red or crimson color.
"The evening sky was painted in brilliant amaranth hues just before the sun slipped below the horizon."
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the Greek 'amarantos' (unfading), formed from 'a-' (not) and 'marainein' (to fade). Its spelling was later altered in French and English due to a mistaken association with the Greek word 'anthos' (flower).