Gil"ly*flow`er (?), n. [OE. gilofre, gilofer, clove, OF. girofre, girofle, F. girofle: cf. F. giroflée gillyflower, fr. girofle, Gr. &?; clove tree; &?; nut + &?; leaf, akin to E. foliage. Cf. Caryophyllus, July- flower.] (Bot.) 1. A name given by old writers to the clove pink (Dianthus Caryophyllus) but now to the common stock (Matthiola incana), a cruciferous plant with showy and fragrant blossoms, usually purplish, but often pink or white.

2. A kind of apple, of a roundish conical shape, purplish red color, and having a large core.

[Written also gilliflower.]

Clove gillyflower, the clove pink. -- Marsh gillyflower, the ragged robin (Lychnis Flos-cuculi). -- Queen's, or Winter, gillyflower, damewort. -- Sea gillyflower, the thrift (Armeria vulgaris). -- Wall gillyflower, the wallflower (Cheiranthus Cheiri). -- Water gillyflower, the water violet.