Marigold
/ˈmær.ɪ.ɡoʊld/noun
A garden flower of the daisy family, especially a bright yellow or orange calendula or tagetes.
Did you know?In medieval English, marigold was a devotional name for the flower associated with the Virgin Mary, showing how everyday words could be shaped by faith, symbolism, and reverence.
Etymological Timeline
Old English / Middle English
English
mari gold
“Mary's gold; a flower name linked to the Virgin Mary”
Middle English
English
marygould
“Variant spellings of the same devotional flower name”
Late Middle English
English
marigold
“Standardized spelling of the flower name”
Modern English
English
marigold
“A common name for bright yellow or orange ornamental flowers”