Daffodil \Daf"fo*dil\ (d[a^]f"f[-o]*d[i^]l), n. [OE. affodylle, prop., the asphodel, fr. LL. affodillus (cf. D. affodille or OF. asphodile, aphodille, F. asphod[`e]le), L. asphodelus, fr. Gr. 'asfo`delos. The initial d in English is not satisfactorily explained. See Asphodel.]

(Bot.)
   (a) A plant of the genus Asphodelus.
   (b) A plant of the genus Narcissus (N. Pseudo-narcissus). It has a bulbous root and beautiful flowers, usually of a yellow hue. Called also daffodilly, daffadilly, daffadowndilly, daffydowndilly, etc.

With damask roses and daffadillies set. --Spenser.

Strow me the ground with daffadowndillies, And cowslips, and kingcups, and loved lilies. --Spenser.

A college gown That clad her like an April daffodilly. --Tennyson

And chance-sown daffodil. --Whittier.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)