marigold

views updated May 29 2018

mar·i·gold / ˈmariˌgōld/ • n. a plant of the daisy family, typically with yellow, orange, or copper-brown flowers, widely cultivated as an ornamental. Several genera include Tagetes (the French and African marigolds) and Calendula (the common (or pot) marigold). ∎  used in names of other plants with yellow flowers, e.g., marsh marigold.ORIGIN: late Middle English: from the given name Mary + dialect gold.

marigold

views updated May 23 2018

marigold. Formalized circular floral decoration in Greek architecture, resembling a rosette, but more like a chrysanthemum or marigold, repeated in series, e.g. on the architrave of the north portico of the Erechtheion, Athens.

marigold

views updated Jun 08 2018

marigold XIV. In early use often pl. marygoulden, marygoldes; f. proper name Mary (presumably with ref. to the Virgin Mary) + (dial.) gold, OE. golde marigold, prob. rel. to GOLD.

marigold

views updated May 23 2018

marigold Any of several mostly golden-flowered plants, mainly of the genera Chrysanthemum Tagetes and Calendula, all of the daisy family (Asteraceae/Compositae). Those most commonly cultivated are the French marigold (Tagetes patula) and the African marigold (T. erecta).

marigold

views updated May 29 2018

marigold Pot or common marigold (Calendula officinalis); petals are used as flavouring and colouring, sometimes as a substitute for saffron.

About this article

marigold

All Sources -
Updated Aug 24 2016 About encyclopedia.com content Print Topic