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Webster 1913 Edition


Hyacinth

Hy′a-cinth

,
Noun.
[L.
hyacinthus
a kind of flower, prob. the iris, gladiolus, or larkspur, also a kind of gem, perh. the sapphire; as, a proper name,
Hyacinthus
, a beautiful Laconian youth, beloved by Apollo, fr. Gr. [GREEK], [GREEK]: cf. F.
hyacinthe
. Cf.
Jacinth
. The hyacinth was fabled to have sprung from the blood of
Hyacinthus
, who was accidentally slain by Apollo.]
1.
(Bot.)
(a)
A bulbous plant of the genus
Hyacinthus
, bearing beautiful spikes of fragrant flowers.
Hyacinthus orientalis
is a common variety.
(b)
A plant of the genus
Camassia
(
Camassia Farseri
), called also
Eastern camass
; wild hyacinth.
(c)
The name also given to
Scilla Peruviana
, a Mediterranean plant, one variety of which produces white, and another blue, flowers; – called also, from a mistake as to its origin,
Hyacinth of Peru
.
2.
(Min.)
A red variety of zircon, sometimes used as a gem. See
Zircon
.
Hyacinth bean
(Bot.)
,
a climbing leguminous plant (
Dolichos Lablab
), related to the true bean. It has dark purple flowers and fruit.

Webster 1828 Edition


Hyacinth

HY'ACINTH

,
Noun.
[L. hyacinthus.]
1.
In botany, a genus of plants, of several species, and a great number of varieties. The oriental hyacinth has a large, purplish, bulbous root, from which spring several narrow erect leaves; the flower stalk is upright and succulent, and adorned with many bell-shaped flowers,united in a large pyramidical spike, of different colors in the varieties.
2.
In mineralogy, a mineral, a variety of zircon, whose crystals,when distinct, have the form of a four-sided prism, terminated by four rhombic planes,which stand on the lateral edges. Its structure is foliated; its luster, strong; its fracture, conchoidal. Its prevailing color is a hyacinth red, in which the red is more or less tinged with yellow or brown. It is sometimes transparent, and sometimes only translucent.
Hyacinth is a subspecies of pyramidical zircon.

Definition 2024


Hyacinth

Hyacinth

See also: hyacinth

English

Proper noun

Hyacinth

  1. Alternative form of Hyacinthus
  2. (rare) A male given name.
  3. A female given name. One of the less common flower names used since the 19th century.

Quotations

  • 1866 Elizabeth Gaskell, Wives and Daughters, Chapter 10:
    "Cynthia seems to me such an out-of-the-way name, only fit for poetry, not for daily use."
    "It is mine," said Mrs Kirkpatrick, in a plaintive tone of reproach. "I was christened Hyacinth, and her poor father would have her called after me. I'm sorry if you don't like it."
    - - -
    "Yes; Hyacinth! It's the silliest name I've ever heard of; but it's hers, and I must call her by it."

Translations

hyacinth

hyacinth

See also: Hyacinth

English

Hyacinthus orientalis, a species of the genus Hyacinthus

Wikispecies

Noun

hyacinth (plural hyacinths)

  1. Any bulbous plant of the genus Hyacinthus, native to the Mediterranean and South Africa.
  2. A variety of zircon, ranging in color from brown, orange, reddish-brown and yellow; a jacinth.

Translations