1 a plant genus with a single species, Amaryllis belladonna, a bulbous lily-like plant native to S. Africa with white or rose-pink flowers (also called belladonna lily).
2 any of various related plants formerly of this genus now transferred to other genera, notably Hippeastrum.
Etymology: L f. Gk Amarullis, name of a country girl
Useful english dictionary. 2012.