myrtle

(mʉrt′'l)

noun

any of a genus (Myrtus) of plants of the myrtle family, with evergreen leaves, white or pinkish flowers, and dark, fragrant berries
any of various other plants, as the periwinkle and the California laurel

Origin: ME mirtille < OFr myrtille < ML myrtillus, dim. < L myrtus < Gr myrtos, myrtle, prob. < Sem; ? akin to Ar murr, myrrh

adjective

designating a family (Myrtaceae, order Myrtales) of dicotyledonous, evergreen trees and shrubs, including eucalyptus, guava, clove, and blue gum

noun

a feminine name

Origin: < myrtle

See myrtle in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Any of several evergreen shrubs or trees of the genus Myrtus, especially M. communis, an aromatic shrub native to the Mediterranean region and western Asia, having pink or white flowers and blue-black berries and widely cultivated as a hedge plant.
See periwinkle².

Origin:

Origin: Middle English mirtille

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Medieval Latin myrtillus

Origin: , diminutive of Latin myrtus

Origin: , from Greek murtos

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