Etymology
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Daphne

fem. proper name, from Greek daphne "laurel, bay tree;" in mythology the name of a nymph, daughter of the river Peneus, metamorphosed into a laurel by Gaia to save her from being ravished as she was pursued by Apollo. The word probably is related to Latin laurus (see laurel).

Entries linking to Daphne

laurel (n.)
mid-14c. variant of lorrer (c. 1300), from Old French laurier, lorier "bay tree, laurel tree" (12c.), from Latin laurus "laurel tree," which is probably related to Greek daphne "laurel" (for change of d- to l- see lachrymose), which is probably from a pre-IE Mediterranean language.

The second -r- changed to -l- in late Middle English by dissimilation. An emblem of victory or of distinction, hence the phrase to rest (originally repose) on one's laurels, first attested 1831. Related: Laurine (adj.).

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Definitions of Daphne
1
daphne (n.)
any of several ornamental shrubs with shiny mostly evergreen leaves and clusters of small bell-shaped flowers;
2
Daphne (n.)
(Greek mythology) a nymph who was transformed into a laurel tree to escape the amorous Apollo;
From wordnet.princeton.edu

Dictionary entries near Daphne

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