heliotrope

[ hee-lee-uh-trohp, heel-yuh-or, especially British, hel-yuh- ]

noun

1. any hairy plant belonging to the genus Heliotropium, of the borage family, as H. arborescens, cultivated for its small, fragrant purple flowers.
2. any of various other plants, as the valerian or the winter heliotrope.
3. any plant that turns toward the sun.
4. a light tint of purple; reddish lavender.
5. Surveying. an arrangement of mirrors for reflecting sunlight from a distant point to an observation station.
6. bloodstone.

heliotrope

/ ˈhiːlɪəˌtrəʊp; ˈhɛljə- /

noun

1. any boraginaceous plant of the genus Heliotropium, esp the South American H. arborescens, cultivated for its small fragrant purple flowers
2. garden heliotrope
   a widely cultivated valerian, Valeriana officinalis, with clusters of small pink, purple, or white flowers
3. any of various plants that turn towards the sun
4. 1. a bluish-violet to purple colour
   2. ( as adjective )

      a heliotrope dress

5. an instrument used in geodetic surveying employing the sun's rays reflected by a mirror as a signal for the sighting of stations over long distances
6. another name for bloodstone

Word History and Origins

Origin of heliotrope¹

1580–90; < Middle French héliotrope < Latin hēliotropium < Greek hēliotrópion ( helio-, -trope ); compare Middle English elitropium, elitropius, Old English eliotropus < Medieval Latin

Word History and Origins

Origin of heliotrope¹

C17: from Latin hēliotropium, from Greek hēliotropion, from hēlios sun + trepein to turn

Example Sentences

A recent display of sun-tolerant coleus and dark-leaved dahlias greeted visitors at the front walk, while billowing containers filled with trailing million bells, petunias and fragrant heliotrope mounted the entry steps.

From Seattle Times

The center of clan life is a flowering heliotrope tree by the ocean.

From New York Times

Meg’s had roses and heliotrope, myrtle, and a little orange tree in it.

From Literature

Once the palms are mostly gone, crews will plant native trees, especially the giant Pisonia and the tree heliotrope.

From Science Magazine

As the inventor of the heliotrope, a device that reflected light to send messages over long distances, Gauss envisioned an array of large mirrors that could be used to flash messages through interplanetary space.

From The Guardian

Related Words

• color
• lavender
• lilac
• mauve
• periwinkle
• plum
• violet