Phyllis — English Dictionary

Proper noun

1. A girl who killed herself for love and was turned into an almond tree.

   Usage

   • Greek

2. A female given name from Ancient Greek derived from the mythological character.

   Examples

   Fair Phyllis I saw sitting all alone / Feeding her flock near to the mountain side

   More examples (3)

   But the name to which the Pages were given of yore, / And the name of the Page I am speaking of, bore / As much likeness as Sukey to Eleonore, / or Betty to Phyllis or Lalage;

   "Look," said Bobbie, "I've made the nest all right again. Give me the bit of stick to mark your initial name on it. But how can you? Your letter and Peter's are the same. P. for Peter, P. for Phyllis." "I put F. for Phyllis," said the child of that name. "That's how it sounds. The swallows wouldn't spell Phyllis with a P., I'm certain-sure."

   "Well, you know when a father's name is Paul and they name the baby girl, Paulette?" "Or Paula." "That's right. Or his name is Philip and they name her Phyllis?" "Or Phillipa. Don't forget Phillipa. I love the name Phillipa." Lark smiled and played the game with Holly.

   The death of anti-feminist activist Phyllis Schlafly on Monday brought commiserations from the GOP ticket.