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