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alyssum
(ə lis′əm)
noun
- any of a genus (Alyssum) of crucifers with white or yellow flowers and grayish leaves
- sweet alyssum
Origin: ModL < Gr alysson, madwort < alyssos, curing madness < a-, without + lyssa, madness, rage; ? orig., with shining eyes (see light): cf. lynx
See alyssum in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- See sweet alyssum.
- Any of various chiefly Mediterranean weeds or ornamentals of the genus Alyssum in the mustard family, having racemes of white or yellow flowers. Also called madwort.
- See hoary alyssum.
Origin:
Origin: New Latin Alyssum, genus name
Origin: , from Latin alysson, kind of madder
Origin: , from Greek alusson, a plant believed to cure rabies
Origin: : a-, not; see a-1
Origin: + lussa, rabies; see wl̥kwo- in Indo-European roots
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