orchis

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a terrestrial orchid, especially a plant of the genus Orchis

   The purple orchis attracted several insects to its flowers.

2. 2
   noun

   a testis

   In older anatomical terminology, orchis could denote a testis.

Borrowed through Latin orchis from Greek orkhis ("testicle"). The paired underground tubers of some orchids suggested the anatomical object, and the same Greek word supplied both the botanical and anatomical senses.

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