hyssop

[ his-uh p ]
/ ˈhɪs əp /

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

before 900; Middle English, Old English ysope < Late Latin ysōpus, for Latin hyssōpus < Greek hýssōpos < Semitic (compare Hebrew ēzōbh); conformed to Latin or Gk from mid-16th century

Words nearby hyssop

hyracotherium, hyrax, hyrcania, hyrcanian, hyson, hyssop, hyster-, hysteralgia, hysteratresia, hysterectomize, hysterectomy
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

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
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