hollyhock

[hol-ee-hok, -hawk]

noun

1. any of several plants belonging to the genus Alcea (orAlthaea ), of the mallow family, native to Eurasia, especially A. rosea, a tall plant having a long cluster of showy, variously colored flowers.

hollyhock

/ ˈhɒlɪˌhɒk /

noun

1. Also called (US): rose mallow. a tall widely cultivated malvaceous plant, Althaea rosea, with stout hairy stems and spikes of white, yellow, red, or purple flowers

Word History and Origins

Origin of hollyhock¹

1225–75; Middle English holihoc, equivalent to holi holy + hoc mallow, Old English hocc

Word History and Origins

Origin of hollyhock¹

C16: from _holy + hock, from Old English hoc mallow

Example Sentences

Animals may raid my flower beds; a storm may knock down a freshly planted hollyhock.

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The pollen grains of various common plants like sunflower, morning glories, prairie hollyhock, oriental lily, evening primrose and castor bean — magnified 500 times and colorized in this image — display intricate patterns.

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Along the way, he met Barnsdall, a philanthropist, theater producer, political progressive, world traveler and lover of the hollyhock flower.

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The cottages are painted in bold, bright hues and come with kitchens that look out on the hollyhocks, roses, lilacs, herbs, benches and lawn chairs in this leafy paradise.

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In dreamier moments, I’d thought I might use it to stake up some hollyhocks come spring.

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