erica

[er-i-kuh]

noun

any of numerous low-growing evergreen shrubs or small trees belonging to the genus Erica, of the heath family, including several species of heather.

Origin of erica

1820–30; < New Latin Erica, Latin < Greek ereíkē heath (plant), akin to Old Irish froech, Russian véres(k)

Erica

[er-i-kuh]

noun

a female given name: derived from Eric.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for erica

Contemporary Examples of erica

It was during this first conversation that Erica realized how much stigma her HPV status had.
The Silent Shame of HPV
Emily Shire
August 29, 2014
Erica was 22 when her doctor called her and said she had an abnormal pap smear.
The Silent Shame of HPV
Emily Shire
August 29, 2014
Erica was especially concerned because she had received the available HPV vaccine.
The Silent Shame of HPV
Emily Shire
August 29, 2014
Erica is the foil to the unstable, decaying Beth—a kind, virtuous, smooth-skinned girl next door.
Anna Kendrick: Queen Bee of the 2014 Sundance Film Festival
Marlow Stern
January 23, 2014
Francis was reportedly worried that Carey might injure their baby daughter, Erica.
In Months Before Wild Capitol Scene, Miriam Carey Battled Psychosis
Michael Daly
October 5, 2013

Historical Examples of erica

"It would be a great indulgence to stop eating," said Erica, sighing over the soup yet to be swallowed.
We Two
Edna Lyall
"The 'we' refers only to you and Erica," said Aunt Jean, who had joined them.
We Two
Edna Lyall
"No, thank you," said Erica, recoiling a little from the very odoriferous contents of the pipkin.
We Two
Edna Lyall
The effect of being separated from her own people was, very naturally, to make Erica a more devoted secularist.
We Two
Edna Lyall
Leslie, with an outward smile and an inward sigh, turned to take leave of Erica.
We Two
Edna Lyall

British Dictionary definitions for erica

erica

noun

any shrub of the ericaceous genus Erica, including the heaths and some heathers

Word Origin for erica

C19: via Latin from Greek ereikē heath

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

Word Origin and History for erica

Erica

fem. proper name, feminine form of Eric.