< modern Latin jonquilla = French jonquille, Italian gionchiglia, or Spanish junquillo, diminutive of junco, Latin juncus rush; so called from the rush-like leaves.
1. A species of Narcissus ( N. Jonquilla), having long linear leaves and spikes of fragrant white and yellow flowers; the rush-leaved Daffodil.Hence extended to allied species, as large jonquil n. Narcissus odorus. small jonquil n. N. pusillus. Queen Anne's jonquil n. N. pusillus plenus.
2. A pale yellow colour like that of the jonquil. [ < French jonquille.]
3. A canary-bird of jonquil colour. (OED)
"Who am I worthless that You spent such pains
and take may pains again?
I do not understand; but I believe.
Jonquils respond with wit to the teasing breeze."
- John Berryman, "A Prayer for the Self", as heard on The Writer's Almanac
I'm going with flowers here, but birds are also possible.
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