Affodill

/ˈæf.ə.dɪl/ noun

Definition

An alternative or archaic spelling of daffodil, a yellow spring flower with a trumpet-shaped center.

Etymology

Variant spelling of 'daffodil,' which comes from the Dutch 'de affodil,' itself possibly derived from Greek 'asphodelos' (asphodel). The 'aff-' spelling was used in older English before standardizing to 'daff-'.

Kelly Says

This spelling shows how English was still figuring itself out in the 1500s-1600s—people spelled daffodils so many different ways that 'affodill' was once completely normal, and if everyone had written it that way, that would be the standard today!

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