Also 6–7 amaranthe. [a. Fr. amarante, f. L. amarant-us, a. Gr. ἀμάραντ-ος, used as name of a flower, but properly adj. ‘everlasting’ f. ἀ not + *-μαραντ-ος fading, corruptible, f. μαρ-αν- stem of μαραίν-ειν to wither, decay (root mar-, mor- die). Long used in the L. form amarantus, corruptly written (by form-assoc. with polyanthus, etc.) amaranthus, as if containing the Gr. ἄνθος flower; amarant (now commonly amaranth) being at first only poetic.]
1. An imaginary flower reputed never to fade; a fadeless flower (as a poetic conception). Also attrib.
1616. Drumm. of Hawth., in Farr’s S. P. (1848), 285. Vpon her head shee ware Of amaranthes a crowne. Ibid. (c. 1630), Wks., 1711, 17/1. Th’ immortal amaranthus.
1637. Milton, Lycidas, 149. Bid amaranthus all his beauty shed. Ibid. (1667), P. L., III. 353. Thir Crowns inwove with Amarant and Gold, Immortal Amarant.
1815. Southey, in Q. Rev., XIII. 274. His laurels are entwined with the amaranths of righteousness.
1827. Keble, Chr. Y. St. Barn., The genial amarant wreath to wear.
2. A genus of ornamental plants (Amarantus, N.O. Amarantaceæ) with colored foliage, of which the Prince’s Feather and Love-lies-bleeding are species.
1551. Turner, Herbal, 22. Amaranthus of Pliny … is rather a purple eare then a floure.
1579. Langham, Gard. Health (1633), 258. The hearbe called purple veluet flower, or Amaranthus.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., III. vi. 45. Sad Amaranthus, in whose purple gore Me seemes I see Amintas wretched fate.
1626. Bacon, Sylva, § 512 (R.). Some Plants Blood-Red, Stalke and Leafe, and all; as Amaranthus.
1725. Bradley, Fam. Dict., Amaranthus, Flower Gentle, called by some, Princes Feathers.
1794. Martyn, Rousseau’s Bot., xvi. 207. The Crested Amaranth … is commonly called Cock’s-comb.
1847. Lindley, Veg. Kingd. (ed. 2), 510. Amaranths grow in crowds or singly.
3. A purple color, being that of the foliage of Amarantus.
1690. Lond. Gaz., mmdlv/4. One amarant and green Mantua and Petticoat.
1858. Planché, Fairy Tales, 74. Her dress was of amaranth satin.
4. Globe Amaranth: Gomphrena globosa (N. O. Amarantaceæ).
5. Yellow Amaranth: A composite plant (Helichrysum Stœchas).
1551. Turner, Herbal, 23. The herbe … called of Galene amaranthus … hath a little white branche … the tope is al yelowe.
1578. Lyte, Dodoens, 89. Ageratum Aurelia … of some Amaranthus Luteus.
1731. Bailey, Amarantus luteus, flower maudlin, or baltazar with a yellow flour.
1875. Miss Bird, Hawaii, 134. Roses, pohas, yellow amaranth.
