Edelweiss
/ˈeɪ.dəl.vaɪs/noun
A small Alpine plant with woolly white flowers, scientifically known as Leontopodium nivale.
Did you know?Edelweiss became a symbol of Alpine courage and resistance, and its supposed rarity helped transform an ordinary mountain flower into a powerful cultural talisman.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*aþalą
“Noble lineage, inherited status, or distinguished character”
Old English
Old English
æðel
“Noble, excellent, belonging to a distinguished family”
Old High German
OHG
edili
“Noble or of high rank”
Middle High German
MHG
edelwīz
“A compound meaning “noble white,” referring to the Alpine flower”
18th Century
German
Edelweiß
“The plant now known in English as edelweiss”
19th Century
English
edelweiss
“A borrowed name for the white-flowered Alpine plant”