edelweiss
UK[ˈeɪ.dəl.vaɪs]US[ˈeɪ.dəl.vaɪs]
n
a small, white alpine flower with woolly leaves and bracts, often growing in rocky places.
Etymology
the word 'edelweiss' is a direct borrowing from german, entering english in the 19th century. in german, it is a compound of 'edel', meaning "noble," and 'weiss', meaning "white," literally describing the plant's prized, pure white flowers. the name reflects the flower's high-altitude habitat and its cultural status as a symbol of alpine purity and rugged beauty. its adoption into english was driven by alpine tourism, botany, and its romanticized portrayal in literature and song.
Analysis
this word is a direct loan from german and is not productively segmented in english. its german components are 'edel' (noble) and 'weiss' (white).
Examples
the hiker was thrilled to spot a rare edelweiss growing among the mountain rocks.
edelweiss is a protected species in many alpine regions due to over-picking.
the song "edelweiss" from the musical *the sound of music* celebrates the iconic flower.