orchid

The story

1. Ancient Greek · derived fromὄρχις“orchid, testicle”
2. Latin · derived fromorchis
3. New Latin · borrowed fromOrchideae
4. English todayorchid

From New Latin Orchideae, Orchidaceae, an irregular formation from Latin orchis, from Ancient Greek ὄρχις (órkhis, “orchid, testicle”) (ostensibly from the shape of the roots). Supplanted Middle English ballokwort (literally “testicle plant”).

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• mid-19th c. A plant of the orchid family (Orchidaceae), bearing unusually-shaped flowers of beautiful colours.