melilot

American  

[mel-uh-lot] / ˈmɛl əˌlɒt /

noun

1. a cloverlike plant of the genus Melilotus, of the legume family, grown as a forage plant.

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melilot British  

/ ˈmɛlɪˌlɒt /

noun

1. Also called: sweet clover.  any leguminous plant of the Old World genus Melilotus, having narrow clusters of small white or yellow fragrant flowers

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Etymology

Origin of melilot

before 1150; Middle English mellilot < Latin melilōtos < Greek melílōtos a clover, equivalent to méli honey + lōtós lotus; replacing late Old English milotis < Latin, as above

Example Sentences

Among the flowers chiefly used for garlands and chaplets in ceremonial rites we find the rose, violet, anemone, thyme, melilot, hyacinth, crocus, yellow lily, and yellow flowers generally.

From The Folk-lore of Plants by Dyer, T. F. Thiselton (Thomas Firminger Thiselton)

We have only to stretch out our hands as we lie to gather half a dozen spikes of lavender, wild thyme, rosemary, Deptford pink, melilot, blue pimpernel, and white scabious.

From The Roof of France by Betham-Edwards, Matilda

Agrimony, mint, and marjoram, with a tall inula, and the pretty, sweet-scented white melilot, were in great abundance along the bank.

From Wanderings by southern waters, eastern Aquitaine by Barker, Edward Harrison

Continental physicians still employ the same made of melilot, wax, resin, and olive oil.

From Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure by Fernie, William Thomas

River and leat and back-water here ran clear among willow-clad islands, all fringed deep with meadow-sweet and comfrey and butterbur and melilot.

From At Large by Benson, Arthur Christopher