daisy
/ˈdeɪzi
/- Bellis perennis, family Compositae (or Asteraceae; the daisy family). The plants of this large family (known as composites) are distinguished by having composite flower heads consisting of numerous disc florets, ray florets, or both; they include many weeds (dandelions, thistles) and garden flowers (asters, chrysanthemums, dahlias).
- I gave a gasp as Justin came over with a bouquet of yellow and white daisies and a huge smile on his face.
- These two plants flower at the same time to give a display of tiny white and large yellow daisies for weeks at the end of the summer.
- This side is more like a meadow, dominated by longer grasses and a host of ox-eye daisies.
- This Shasta daisy, with its double blooms, is truly unique and fun with its fluffy look.
Phrases
be (as) fresh as a daisy
be pushing up (the) daisies
Origin
Old English dæges ēage 'day's eye' (because the flower opens in the morning and closes at night).
Daisies close at night and open again in the morning, revealing the yellow disc at their centre. This gives them their name, as daisy is a contraction of day's eye. Being dead and buried loses some of its solemnity and fear when you are under the daisies or are pushing up daisies. This light-hearted expression dates from the early 20th century, and the First World War poet Wilfred Owen (1893–1918) alludes to its use by soldiers in the trenches. Fresh as a daisy refers to the opening of the daisy in the morning, and to its welcome appearance in spring. It has been used by writers since at least the 14th century, when it appears in the works of the poet Geoffrey Chaucer (c.1343–1400).