amaranth noun. ['amǝranƟ] Also amarant [-ant] & in Latin forms amarantus, amaranthus [-ʌs]. M16.
[French amarante or mod. Latin amaranthus, alt. after names in -anthus (Greek anthos flower) of Latin amarantus from Greek amarantos unfading, from a- A-¹⁰ + maran-, marainein wither.]
1. Any of various plants of the family Amaranthaceae and esp. of the genus Amaranthus, characterized by chaffy spikes of small flowers and often by coloured foliage. M16.
globe amaranth an erect annual, Gomphrena globosa, bearing long-lived globular flower-heads. green amaranth a pigweed, Amaranthus hybridus. purple amaranth Amaranthus cruentus, bearing purple flowering spikes.

2. An imaginary flower that never fades. E17.

3. The purple colour of Amaranthus leaves. L17.
b. A red dye used esp. to colour food. L19.

4. = purpleheart s.v. PURPLE adjective. E20.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲