Lychnis \Lych"nis\, n. [L., a kind of red flower, Gr. lychni`s; cf. ly`chnos a lamp.]

(Bot.) A genus of Old World plants belonging to the Pink family (Caryophyllace[ae]). Most of the species have brilliantly colored flowers and cottony leaves, which may have anciently answered as wicks for lamps. The botanical name is in common use for the garden species. The corn cockle (Lychnis Githago) is a common weed in wheat fields.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)