alyssum

[ uh-lis-uhm ]

noun
  1. any of various plants belonging to the genus Alyssum, of the mustard family, having clusters of small yellow or white flowers.

  2. any of several related plants of the genus Aurinia, as A. saxatilis, a widely cultivated species with yellow flowers.

Origin of alyssum

1
1545–55; <New Latin; Latin alysson<Greek, neuter of ályssos curing (canine) madness, equivalent to a-a-6 + lýss(a) madness + -os adj. suffix

Words Nearby alyssum

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How to use alyssum in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for alyssum

alyssum

/ (ˈælɪsəm) /


noun
  1. any widely cultivated herbaceous garden plant of the genus Alyssum, having clusters of small yellow or white flowers: family Brassicaceae (crucifers): See also sweet alyssum, alison

Origin of alyssum

1
C16: from New Latin, from Greek alusson, from alussos (adj) curing rabies, referring to the ancient belief in the plant's healing properties

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