Hh: Hyacinth

Happy Birthday Mom
n.

1.

a. A bulbous Mediterranean plant (Hyacinthus orientalis) having narrow leaves and a terminal raceme of variously colored, usually fragrant flowers, with a funnel-shaped perianth. Also called jacinth.

b. Any of several similar or related plants, such as the grape hyacinth.

2. Greek Mythology A plant, perhaps the larkspur, gladiolus, or iris, that sprang from the blood of the slain Hyacinthus.

3. A deep purplish blue to vivid violet.

4.

a. A reddish or cinnamon-colored variety of transparent zircon, used as a gemstone.

b. A blue precious stone, perhaps the sapphire, known in antiquity.

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[Latin hyacinthus, from Greek huakinthos, wild hyacinth.]

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hya·cinthine (-snthn, -thn) adj.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

And though the love of a hyacinth may be rather domestic, who can tell, the sentiment once raised, but you may in time come to love a rose?

Northanger Abbey by Austen, Jane