n., pl., fleurs-de-lis, or fleurs-de-lys (flûr'də-lēz', flʊr'-).
- An iris, especially a white-flowered form of Iris germanica.
- Heraldry. A device consisting of a stylized three-petaled iris flower, used as the armorial emblem of the kings of France.
[Middle English flour de lice, from Old French flor de lis : flor, flower + de, of + lis, lily.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
