from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Cosmos \Cos"mos\, n. (Bot.)
A genus of composite plants closely related to {Bidens},
usually with very showy flowers, some with yellow, others
with red, scarlet, purple, white, or lilac rays. They are
natives of the warmer parts of America, and many species are
cultivated. {Cosmos bipinnatus} and {Cosmos diversifolius}
are among the best-known species; {Cosmos caudatus}, of the
West Indies, is widely naturalized.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]