hyacinth

¹

[ hahy-uh-sinth ]

noun

1. a bulbous plant, Hyacinthus orientalis, of the lily family, widely cultivated for its cylindrical cluster of fragrant flowers in a variety of colors.
2. any of various similar or related plants, as the grape hyacinth or the water hyacinth.
3. a plant fabled to have sprung from the blood of Hyacinthus and variously identified as iris, gladiolus, larkspur, etc.
4. Mineralogy. a reddish-orange zircon.
5. a gem of the ancients, held to be the amethyst or sapphire.

Hyacinth

²

[ hahy-uh-sinth ]

noun

1. a female given name.

hyacinth

/ ˈhaɪəsɪnθ; ˌhaɪəˈsɪnθaɪn /

noun

1. any liliaceous plant of the Mediterranean genus Hyacinthus, esp any cultivated variety of H. orientalis, having a thick flower stalk bearing white, blue, or pink fragrant flowers
2. the flower or bulb of such a plant
3. any similar or related plant, such as the grape hyacinth
4. Also calledjacinth a red or reddish-brown transparent variety of the mineral zircon, used as a gemstone
5. Greek myth a flower which sprang from the blood of the dead Hyacinthus
6. 1. any of the varying colours of the hyacinth flower or stone
   2. ( as modifier )

      hyacinth eyes

Derived Forms

• hyacinthine, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hyacinth¹

1545–55; < Latin hyacinthus < Greek hyákinthos blue larkspur, also a gem of blue color; jacinth

Word History and Origins

Origin of hyacinth¹

C16: from Latin hyacinthus, from Greek huakinthos

Example Sentences

The classic writers usually identify the hyacinth with Apollo.

From Project Gutenberg

Hyacinth (aside, What a bo-ar the fellar is; I wish he'd take himself off).

From Project Gutenberg

Hyacinth (fixing his glass in his eye, and scrutinising the apartment).

From Project Gutenberg

Hyacinth (aside, Fellar talks as if the animal were a pot of mignonette).

From Project Gutenberg

Northward lies our hyacinth Barker, with all his blue hyacinths.

From Project Gutenberg