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Amaranth

1. An imaginary flower supposed never to fade.

2. (Science: botany) a genus of ornamental annual Plants (Amaranthus) of many species, with green, purplish, or crimson flowers.

2. A colour inclining to purple.

Origin: 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.