[mod.L., a. Gr. στεφανωτίς fem. adj., fit for a crown or wreath, f. στέφανος crown.]
1. ǁ a. Bot. A genus of tropical asclepiadaceous twining shrubs having fragrant white flowers. b. A plant of this genus; a flower of such a plant.
1870. Disraeli, Lothair, xxxi. The voice was as sweet as the stephanotis.
1882. [W. E. Norris], in Cornh. Mag., April, 390. With a sprig of stephanotis in his buttonhole.
2. A perfume said to be prepared from the flowers of Stephanotis floribunda.
1907. H. Wyndham, Flare of Footlights, xvii. A sickly odour of stephanotis arose from it [the letter].
