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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

orchidelirium en · NOUN

Pronunciation

  • /ɔː.kɪ.dɪˈlɪ.ɹi.əm/ (UK)

Etymology

Blend of orchid + delirium.

Meanings

  1. (uncountable) Synonym of orchidomania.
    • Equally great was "Orchidelirium," the orchid craze that saw rare orchids being sold at London auctions for exorbitant prices. 2018, Why Look at Plants?: The Botanical Emergence in Contemporary Art, page 27:
    • Orchidelirium accurately reflected the social values of the people rich enough to indulge in it. 2015, Richard Mabey, The Cabaret of Plants: Botany and the Imagination:
    • But it doesn't take a Freudian to discern a strong sexual subtext in the passion for these flowers, especially among men, who as any visit to an orchid show will tell you, suffer disproportionately from "orchidelirium" — the Victorians' term for the madness these flowers inspire. 2011, Christian Ziegler, Deceptive Beauties: The World of Wild Orchids, page 32:

Synonyms

orchidomania