native to eastern Asia; widely cultivated for its large pink or white flowers
"The lotus, a flower native to eastern Asia and widely cultivated for its large pink blooms, graced the pond at the temple."
annual or perennial herbs or subshrubs
"The ancient Egyptians cultivated lotus as both an annual and a perennial herb in their gardens."
white Egyptian lotus: water lily of Egypt to southeastern Africa; held sacred by the Egyptians
"The ancient papyrus scroll depicted a blooming white Egyptian lotus rising from the Nile, a flower revered as sacred by the pharaohs."
A kind of aquatic plant, genus Nelumbo in the family Nelumbonaceae.
"The lotus bloomed beautifully on the calm surface of the pond."
In plain English: A lotus is an aquatic plant with beautiful flowers that grow out of water and are often used as symbols for peace or purity.
"The lotus flower floated gracefully on the surface of the lake."
Usage: The lotus is an aquatic flower often associated with purity and rebirth in Eastern cultures. Use it to refer specifically to this ornamental water plant rather than generic flowers or unrelated symbols like the lily pad.
A British manufacturer of cars.
"The Lotus Elise is celebrated as a lightweight and agile sports car produced by the British manufacturer."
Unadapted borrowing from Latin lōtus, from Ancient Greek λωτός (lōtós). Doublet of lote. First attested in the 1540s