(n) a water lily having large leaves and showy fragrant flowers that float on the water; of temperate and tropical regions, Syn. pond lily, Nymphaea odorata, fragrant water lily
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English (GCIDE) v.0.53 Collaborative International Dictionary (GCIDE)
(Bot.) A blossom or plant of any species of the genus Nymphaea, distinguished for its large floating leaves and beautiful flowers. See Nymphaea. [ 1913 Webster ]
☞ The name is extended to various plants of other related genera, as Nuphar, Euryale, Nelumbo, and Victoria. See Euryale, Lotus, and Victoria, 1. [ 1913 Webster ]