hyssop
[ his-uhp ]
/ ˈhɪs əp /
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noun
any of several aromatic herbs belonging to the genus Hyssopus, of the mint family, especially H. officinalis, native to Europe, having clusters of small blue flowers.
any of several related or similar plants, especially of the genera Agastache or Gratiola.
Bible. a plant, perhaps the origan, whose twigs were used in ceremonial sprinkling.
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Origin of hyssop
First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English ysope, from Late Latin ysōpus, for Latin hyssōpus, from Greek hýssōpos, from Semitic (compare Hebrew ēzōbh ); conformed to Latin or Greek from the mid-16th century
Words nearby hyssop
hyracotherium, hyrax, Hyrcania, Hyrcanian, hyson, hyssop, hyster-, hysteralgia, hysteratresia, hysterectomize, hysterectomy
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for hyssop
British Dictionary definitions for hyssop
hyssop
/ (ˈhɪsəp) /
noun
a widely cultivated Asian plant, Hyssopus officinalis, with spikes of small blue flowers and aromatic leaves, used as a condiment and in perfumery and folk medicine: family Lamiaceae (labiates)
any of several similar or related plants such as the hedge hyssop
a Biblical plant, used for sprinkling in the ritual practices of the Hebrews
Word Origin for hyssop
Old English ysope, from Latin hyssōpus, from Greek hussōpos, of Semitic origin; compare Hebrew ēzōv
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