(n) leaves sometimes used as potherbs; seeds used as cereal; southern United States to Central America; India and China, Syn. Amaranthus hypochondriacus
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 ]