Definition of: lilac

(lī′lak, -lək) noun
1. An ornamental flowering shrub (genus Syringa) having fragrant purplish or white flowers. The species best known in America are the common lilac (S. vulgaris), which has light rosy–purple flowers and is the State flower of New Hampshire, and the Persian lilac (S. persica), a smaller shrub with white or purplish flowers.
2. The light rosy–purple color of the common lilac flower. [<Sp. <Arabic līlak, laylak <Persian līlak bluish, var. of nīlak, dim. of nīl blue]