Orchis
/ˈɔːr.kɪs/noun
A genus of orchids, especially terrestrial orchids, and an old botanical name for certain orchid plants.
Did you know?The Greek word órkhis was also the source of the plant family name Orchidaceae, because some orchid tubers were thought to resemble testicles and were linked in old herbal lore to fertility.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
órkhis (ὄρχις)
“testicle; also the name of certain orchid plants”
Classical Greek botany
Greek
órkhis
“an orchid or orchid-like plant, named for the shape of its tubers”
Late Latin
Latin
orchis
“orchid, orchid plant”
Middle English
English
orchis
“an orchid; a plant of the orchid family”
Modern English
English
orchis
“a genus of orchids”
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