daisy
UK[ˈdeɪzi]US[ˈdeɪzi]
n
a small wild flower with white petals around a yellow centre; many cultivated varieties exist.
n
used in names of other plants with similar flowers, e.g., the shasta daisy.
Etymology
the word "daisy" originates from the old english compound "dæges ēage", which translates literally to "day's eye". this poetic name was given because the flower's white petals open at dawn to reveal its bright yellow centre, resembling an eye that opens to greet the day, and then close again at dusk. the modern form "daisy" is a contraction and phonetic evolution of this old english phrase over centuries of use. thus, the name captures the flower's most characteristic behavior, linking its ancient, literal description to its familiar modern identity.
Analysis
the word is a simplex. it is a loanword from old english, derived from the phrase "dæges ēage", meaning "day's eye".
Examples
the children made chains out of daisies they picked in the meadow.
she loves the simple beauty of a common daisy.
he played "he loves me, he loves me not," plucking the petals from a daisy.