a. pertaining to tears and weeping; n.pl. organs secreting tears; crying fits. lachrymary, a.lachrymation, n.lachrymator, n. substance or gas causing tears. lachrymatory, n. narrow-necked vase; tear-bottle. lachrymiform, a. tear-shaped. lachrymist, n. weeper. lachrymogenic, a. causing tears. lachrymose, a. tearful.
The number of stripes changed frequently until around 1800. Red, white, and blue became the colours of liberty and an inspiration for other revolutionary flags around the world. Effective date: 19 February 1937.