amaranth Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun seed of amaranth plants used as a native cereal in Central and South America
  2. noun any of various plants of the genus Amaranthus having dense plumes of green or red flowers; often cultivated for food

WordNet

Am"a*ranth noun
Etymology
L. amarantus, Gr. , unfading, amaranth; priv. + to quench, cause to wither, fr. a root meaning to die, akin to E. mortal; -- so called because its flowers do not soon wither: cf. F. amarante. The spelling with th seems to be due to confusion with Gr. flower.
Definitions
  1. An imaginary flower supposed never to fade. Poetic
  2. (Bot.) A genus of ornamental annual plants (Amaranthus) of many species, with green, purplish, or crimson flowers.
  3. A color inclining to purple.

Webster 1913