marigold

From Middle English marigolde, marygoldye, from Mary (“referring to the Virgin Mary”) + golde (“marigold”).

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈmæɹ.ɪˌɡəʊld/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈmæɹ.ɪˌɡoʊld/, /ˈmɛɹ.ɪˌɡoʊld/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

  (Mary–marry–merry distinction)

• Audio (US)

  (file)

  (Mary–marry–merry merger)

marigold (plural marigolds)

1. Any of the Old World plants, of the genus Calendula, with orange, yellow or reddish flowers.
   • 1936, Rollo Ahmed, The Black Art, London: Long, page 155:

     A piece of marigold or bay leaf was imbedded in the metal, and over it a carbuncle or chrysolite was placed.

2. Any of the New World plants, of the genus Tagetes, with orange, yellow or reddish flowers.
   • 2009, Herbert C. Covey, Dwight Eisnach, What the Slaves Ate, ABC-CLIO, →ISBN, page 87:

     Native Americans introduced whites and slaves to several edible greens including marigold, milkweed, and pokeweed (Whit 2007).

3. (UK, slang, obsolete) A million pounds sterling.
4. Alternative form of Marigold (rubber glove for cleaning)

• (million pounds): 1873, John Camden Hotten, The Slang Dictionary

marigold (comparative more marigold, superlative most marigold)

1. Having the color of marigolds, a bright yellowish-orange hue.

   marigold:  

• Marigold on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

• Grimaldo