calanthe (kæ?læn??) n (Plants) any of various orchids of the genus Calanthe of the family Orchidaceae, found in tropical areas and having long-lasting yellow, white, or pink flowers[C20: from New Latin, from Greek kalos beautiful + anth? bloom]Collins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014