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Definition of lychnis

lychnis

/ˈlɪk.nɪs/
lych · nis
Plural:lychnises
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lychnis Lexical Profile

lychnis Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Any of various Eurasian plants of the former genus Lychnis (now largely reclassified into the genus Silene) within the pink family (Caryophyllaceae), typically cultivated for their striking, brightly colored, five-petaled flowers.

Example

"The gardener planted a vibrant border of rose campion and other lychnis to attract pollinators to the estate during the summer months."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for lychnis

• Nearby Words

lwa
lycaste
lychee
lychnis
lycium
lycoris
lycra

Word Origin & Etymology

From Latin 'lychnis', derived from Ancient Greek 'lukhnís' (a plant with bright red flowers), from 'lúkhnos' (lamp). This name likely refers to the vibrant, flame-like color of the blooms or the historical practice of using the woolly leaves of certain species, like the rose campion, as lamp wicks.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Lychnis. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 6, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/lychnis
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