hollyhock

[ hol-ee-hok, -hawk ]

noun

1. any of several plants belonging to the genus Alcea (or Althaea ), of the mallow family, native to Eurasia, especially A. rosea, a tall plant having a long cluster of showy, variously colored flowers.

hollyhock

/ ˈhɒlɪˌhɒk /

noun

1. a tall widely cultivated malvaceous plant, Althaea rosea, with stout hairy stems and spikes of white, yellow, red, or purple flowers Also called (US)rose mallow

Word History and Origins

Origin of hollyhock¹

1225–75; Middle English holihoc, equivalent to holi holy + hoc mallow, Old English hocc

Word History and Origins

Origin of hollyhock¹

C16: from holy + hock, from Old English hoc mallow

Example Sentences

Animals may raid my flower beds; a storm may knock down a freshly planted hollyhock.

From Washington Post

The pollen grains of various common plants like sunflower, morning glories, prairie hollyhock, oriental lily, evening primrose and castor bean — magnified 500 times and colorized in this image — display intricate patterns.

From Salon

Along the way, he met Barnsdall, a philanthropist, theater producer, political progressive, world traveler and lover of the hollyhock flower.

From Los Angeles Times

The cottages are painted in bold, bright hues and come with kitchens that look out on the hollyhocks, roses, lilacs, herbs, benches and lawn chairs in this leafy paradise.

From Seattle Times

In dreamier moments, I’d thought I might use it to stake up some hollyhocks come spring.

From Literature