n. [ L. amarantus, Gr. &unr_;, unfading, amaranth; 'a priv. + &unr_; 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. &unr_; flower. ] 1. An imaginary flower supposed never to fade. [ Poetic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Bot.) A genus of ornamental annual plants (Amaranthus) of many species, with green, purplish, or crimson flowers. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A color inclining to purple. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. 1 a cosmopolitan family of herbs and shrubs.
Syn. -- family Amaranthaceae, amaranth family [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. 1. Of or pertaining to amaranth. “Amaranthine bowers.” Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Unfading, as the poetic amaranth; undying. [ 1913 Webster ]

They only amaranthine flower on earth
Is virtue. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Of a purplish color. Buchanan. [ 1913 Webster ]