n. Any of several plants having fragrant flowers, especially the carnation, stock, or wallflower. [Alteration (influenced by FLOWER) of Middle English gilofre, from Old French gilofre, girofle, clove, from Late Latin gariofilum, from Greek karuophullon : karuon, nut; see kar- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots + phullon, leaf; see bhel-3 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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