Tulip \Tu"lip\, n. [F. tulipe, OF. also tulipan, It. tulipano, tulipa, from Turk. tulbend, dulbend, literally, a turban, Per. dulband; -- so called from the resemblance of the form of this flower to a turban. See Turban.]

(Bot.) Any plant of the liliaceous genus Tulipa. Many varieties are cultivated for their beautiful, often variegated flowers.

Tulip tree.
   (a) A large American tree bearing tuliplike flowers. See Liriodendron.
   (b) A West Indian malvaceous tree (Paritium, or Hibiscus, tiliaceum).

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)