Gil″ly‐flow′er (?), n. [OE. gilofre, gilofer, clove, OF. girofre, girofle, F. girofle: cf. F. giroflée gillyflower, fr. girofle, Gr. � clove tree; � nut + � leaf, akin to E. foliage. Cf. Caryophyllus, July-flower.] (Bot.) 1. A name given by old writers to the clove pink (Dianthus Caryophyllus) but now to the common stock (Matthiola incana), a cruciferous plant with showy and fragrant blossoms, usually purplish, but often pink or white.
2. A kind of apple, of a roundish conical shape, purplish red color, and having a large core.
[Written also gilliflower.]
Clove gillyflower, the clove pink. — Marsh gillyflower, the ragged robin (Lychnis Flos-cuculi). — Queen's, or Winter, gillyflower, damewort. — Sea gillyflower, the thrift (Armeria vulgaris). — Wall gillyflower, the wallflower (Cheiranthus Cheiri). — Water gillyflower, the water violet.