Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Mallows
{
Mal′low
,Mal′lows
, }Noun.
[OE.
malwe
, AS. mealwe
, fr. L. malva
, akin to Gr. μαλάχη
; cf. μαλάσσειν
to soften, μαλακόσ
soft. Named either from its softening or relaxing properties, or from its soft downy leaves. Cf. Mauve
, Malachite
.] (Bot.)
A genus of plants (
Malva
) having mucilaginous qualities. See Malvaceous
. ☞ The flowers of the common mallow (
Malva sylvestris
) are used in medicine. The dwarf mallow (Malva rotundifolia
) is a common weed, and its flattened, dick-shaped fruits are called cheeses by children. Tree mallow (Malva Mauritiana
and Lavatera arborea
), musk mallow (Malva moschata
), rose mallow or hollyhock, and curled mallow (Malva crispa
), are less commonly seen.