any Eurasian plant of the malvaceous genus Althaea, such as the hollyhock, having tall spikes of showy white, yellow, or red flowers
another name for rose of Sharon
C17: from Latin althaea, from Greek althaia marsh mallow (literally: healing plant), from Greek althein to heal
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When marshmallows were originally conceived in ancient Egypt, they were derived from a plant called Althaea officinalis and utilized as an herbal medicine.
From Salon • Nov. 21, 2023
Ancient Egyptian royalty ate the sap of Althaea officinalis, a mallow plant that grows in marshes, mixed with nuts and honey.
From Washington Post
One's thoughts can only wander towards two great heroines of "lost" plays, Althaea in the Meleager, and Stheneboea in the Bellerophon.
From The Electra of Euripides Translated into English rhyming verse by Murray, Gilbert
Methinks the realms of England, France, and Ireland Bear that proportion to my flesh and blood As did the fatal brand Althaea burn'd Unto the prince's heart of Calydon.
From King Henry VI, Part 2 by Shakespeare, William
They agree in quality with the roots of Althaea; with this difference, that the mucilage of it is somewhat stronger-bodied.
From The Botanist's Companion, Volume II by Salisbury, William
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
