any Eurasian plant of the malvaceous genus Althaea, such as the hollyhock, having tall spikes of showy white, yellow, or red flowers
another name for rose of Sharon
C17: from Latin althaea, from Greek althaia marsh mallow (literally: healing plant), from Greek althein to heal
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When marshmallows were originally conceived in ancient Egypt, they were derived from a plant called Althaea officinalis and utilized as an herbal medicine.
From Salon ● Nov. 21, 2023
Ancient Egyptian royalty ate the sap of Althaea officinalis, a mallow plant that grows in marshes, mixed with nuts and honey.
From Washington Post
As long as this was kept safe by Althaea, his mother, Meleager bore a charmed life.
From The Pleasures of Life by Lubbock, John, Sir
The Leaves.—Alcea agrees in quality with the Althaea and Malva vulgaris; but appears to be less mucilaginous than either.
From The Botanist's Companion, Volume II by Salisbury, William
Cursed by Althaea, to his wrath he yields, And in his wife's embrace forgets the fields.
From The Iliad by Pope, Alexander
Shrubby althaea Round-flowered catsclaw Rue family Salt cedar Sensitive briar Silk weed Silver berry Sneeze weed.
From Texas Honey Plants by Sanborn, C. E.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
