asphodels

Noun

asphodel (usually uncountable, plural asphodels)

1. (usually) Any of the flowering plants of the family Asphodelaceae, especially Asphodelus ramosus and Asphodelus albus; the flower of these plants.
   • Sometimes I lost track of them and had to hunt round in a circle, thrusting through sharp-scented bushes, scratching myself on various plants which were still new to me: resinaceous rock-roses, juniper, ilex, yellow and white asphodel [translating asphodèles].1962, Simone de Beauvoir, translated by Peter Green, The Prime of Life, Cleveland, OH: The World Publishing Company, translation of La Force de l'âge, →OCLC, page 77
2. (Greek, usually) The flower said to carpet Hades, and a favorite food of the dead.
   • Her hand he seis'd, and to a shadie bank,
     Thick overhead with verdant roof imbowr'd
     He led her nothing loath; Flours were the Couch,
     Pansies, and Violets, and Asphodel,
     And Hyacinth, Earths freshest softest lap.1667, John Milton, “Book IX”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished...

See all 3 meanings of asphodel