the little water-lily: A genus of the anneandria order, belonging to the dioica class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the first order, Palmae. The spathe of the male is diphyllous; the calyx trifid; the corolla tripetalous; the three interior filaments filiform. The female calyx trifid; the corolla tripetalous; the styles five; the capsule has six cells, and is polyspermous inferior. There is only one species, a native of Britain, growing in slow streams and wet ditches. It hath kidney-shaped leaves, thick, smooth, and of a brownish green colour, with white blossoms. There is a variety with double flowers of a very sweet smell.