Amaranth
/ˈæm.ə.rænθ/noun
A plant of the genus Amaranthus, or its often red or purple flower spikes; by extension, something imagined as unfading or immortal.
Did you know?The name comes from Greek amárantos, “unfading,” and in mythic poetry the amaranth was linked to everlasting life because its blooms stay vivid long after cutting.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
amarantos
“unfading, everlasting”
Late Greek
Greek
amaranthos
“the amaranth flower, named for its long-lasting color”
Late Latin
Latin
amaranthus
“amaranth, a plant with persistent flowers”
Middle English
English
amarant
“the amaranth flower”
Modern English
English
amaranth
“a plant of the amaranth family, especially one with showy flower spikes”
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