Dictionary entry

Daffodil

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Daf″fo‐dil (dăf″fō̍‐dĭl), n. [OE. affodylle, prop., the asphodel, fr. LL. affodillus (cf. D. affodille or OF. asphodile, aphodille, F. asphodèle), L. asphodelus, fr. Gr. ασφὄδελοσ. The initial d in English is not satisfactorily explained. See Asphodel.] (Bot.) (a) A plant of the genus Asphodelus. (b) A plant of the genus Narcissus (N. Pseudo-narcissus). It has a bulbous root and beautiful flowers, usually of a yellow hue. Called also daffodilly, daffadilly, daffadowndilly, daffydowndilly, etc.

With damask roses and daffadillies set. Spenser.

Strow me the ground with daffadowndillies,

And cowslips, and kingcups, and loved lilies. Spenser.

A college gown

That clad her like an April daffodilly. Tennyson

And chance-sown daffodil. Whittier.