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Definition of calochortus
calochortus
/ˌkæləˈkɔːrtəs/
cal · o · chor · tus
Plural:calochortuses
calochortus Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
12
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
North American Any of a genus of bulbous plants in the lily family, native to western North and Central America, characterized by grass-like leaves and brightly colored, often bowl-shaped flowers.
Example
"During our spring hike in the Californian foothills, we spotted a delicate yellow calochortus blooming among the dry scrub."
• Rhymes for calochortus
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from New Latin, which adapted the Greek words 'kalos' (beautiful) and 'chortos' (grass or fodder), referring to the plant's strikingly beautiful flowers and grass-like foliage.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Calochortus. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 15, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/calochortus