erica

¹ American  

[er-i-kuh] / ˈɛr ɪ kə /

noun

1. any of numerous low-growing evergreen shrubs or small trees belonging to the genus Erica, of the heath family, including several species of heather.

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Erica ² American  

[er-i-kuh] / ˈɛr ɪ kə /

noun

1. a female given name: derived from Eric.

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erica British  

/ ˈɛrɪkə /

noun

1. any shrub of the ericaceous genus Erica, including the heaths and some heathers

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Etymology

Origin of erica

1820–30; < New Latin Erica, Latin < Greek ereíkē heath (plant), akin to Old Irish froech, Russian véres ( k )

Example Sentences

Isis found the body of Osiris in the neighborhood of Biblos, and near a tall plant called the erica.

From The Symbolism of Freemasonry by Mackey, Albert G.

Thus the ivy was used in the Mysteries of Dionysus, the myrtle in those of Ceres, the erica in the Osirian, and the lettuce in the Adonisian.

From The Symbolism of Freemasonry by Mackey, Albert G.

Two or three varieties of blue erica, tiny heaths, and epacris were also very pretty.

From The Last Voyage to India and Australia, in the 'Sunbeam' by Pritchett, R. T. (Robert Taylor)

We at length enjoyed the refreshing breeze in the beautiful region of the arborescent erica and fern; and we were enveloped in a thick bed of clouds stationary at six hundred toises above the plain.

From Personal Narrative of Travels to the Equinoctial Regions of America, During the Year 1799-1804 — Volume 1 by Ross, Thomasina

It is singular, and perhaps significant, that the word eriko, in Greek, ἐρίϗω, whence erica is probably derived, means to break in pieces, to mangle.

From The Symbolism of Freemasonry by Mackey, Albert G.