alyssum

[ uh-lis-uh m ]
/ əˈlɪs əm /

noun

any of various plants belonging to the genus Alyssum, of the mustard family, having clusters of small yellow or white flowers.
any of several related plants of the genus Aurinia, as A. saxatilis, a widely cultivated species with yellow flowers.
sweet alyssum.

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Origin of alyssum

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

alyce clover, alymphia, alymphocytosis, alymphoplasia, alyson, alyssum, alzheimer's disease, am, am-dram, am., am/fm
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

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British Dictionary definitions for alyssum

alyssum
/ (ˈælɪsəm) /

noun

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

Word Origin for alyssum

C16: from New Latin, from Greek alusson, from alussos (adj) curing rabies, referring to the ancient belief in the plant's healing properties
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012