helianthus

[ hee-lee-an-thuhs ]

/ ˌhi liˈæn θəs /

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noun, plural he·li·an·thus·es.

any composite plant of the genus Helianthus, comprising the sunflowers.

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Origin of helianthus

From New Latin, dating back to 1770–80; see origin at heli-¹, -anthous

OTHER WORDS FROM helianthus

he·li·an·tha·ceous

[hee-lee-uhn-they-shuhs], /ˌhi li ənˈθeɪ ʃəs/, adjective

Words nearby helianthus

heli-, heliacal, heliacal rising, helianthemum, helianthine B, helianthus, heli-boarding, heliborne, helic-, helical, helical gear

How to use helianthus in a sentence

The Sunflower, Helianthus, is supposed to emit gases that destroy miasma.
Cultus Arborum|Anonymous
So we never met, though she wrote me much about herself and about "Helianthus," which was printed after her death.
Alone|Norman Douglas
It was early in December, but we found Helianthus ten to twelve feet high in bloom everywhere in the cañons.
Unknown Mexico, Volume 1 (of 2)|Carl Lumholtz
Several species of Helianthus have a tendency to produce similar fleshy tubers at the top of the roots.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 484, April 11, 1885|Various

If it was a bee, we should find some of his companions roaming about among the blossoms of the helianthus.
The Desert Home|Mayne Reid

British Dictionary definitions for helianthus

helianthus

/ (ˌhiːlɪˈænθəs) /

noun plural -thuses

any plant of the genus Helianthus, such as the sunflower and Jerusalem artichoke, typically having large yellow daisy-like flowers with yellow, brown, or purple centres: family Asteraceae (composites)

Word Origin for helianthus

C18: New Latin, from Greek hēlios sun + anthos flower

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