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myrtle Definition

myr·tle (mʉrt'l)

noun

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

Etymology: 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

Myrtle Definition

Myr·tle (mʉrt'l)

noun

a feminine name

Etymology: < myrtle

myrtle Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • include: Butterflies frequent an area of wetland which includes abundant bog myrtle.

Modifies a noun

  • tree: In colder areas, young bay and myrtle trees will also benefit from being taken under cover.
  • leave: Sacred plant of the goddess Aphrodite - victors at the Olympic Games were often crowned with myrtle leaves.
  • wreath: Upon her head she ware a myrtle wreath, From whence her veil reached to the ground beneath.
  • bush: Centuries ago, bridesmaids planted myrtle bushes at the couple's new home, to ensure the couple happiness.
  • branch: Myrthe had a real moment when her myrtle branch broke at Giselle's protection of Albrecht.
  • plant: Control plants did not develop any symptoms Infection assays on 1-year old myrtle plants.

Noun used with modifier

  • bog: Bog Myrtle On the left is a small patch of bog myrtle.
  • crepe: Magnolias and crepe myrtles mark a slow passion in their flowerings, in their heft toward the sky above.
myrtle Quotes

Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the L for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

—Bible (Old Testament)

Come live with me and be my love, And we will all the pleasures prove That valleys, groves, hills, and fields, Woods, or steepy mountain yields. And we will sit upon the rocks, Seeing shepherds feed their flocks, By shallow rivers to whose falls Melodious birds sing madrigals. And I will make thee beds of roses And a thousand fragrant posies, A cap of flowers, and a kirtle Embroidered all with leaves of myrtle. See Raleigh 677:98.

—Marlowe, Christopher

   Oh, talk not to me of a name great in story; The days of our youth are the days of our glory; And the myrtle and ivy of sweet two-and-twenty Are worth all your laurels, though ever so plenty.

—Rochdale

No pleasing Intricacies intervene, No artful wildness to perplex the scene; Grove nods at grove, each a mirror of the other. The suff'ring eye inverted Nature sees, Trees cut to Statues, Statues thick as trees, With here a Fountain, never to be play'd, And there a Summer-house, that knows no shade; Here Amphitrite sails thro'myrtle bow'rs There Gladiators fight, or die, in flow'rs Un-water'd see the drooping sea-horse mourn, And swallows roost in Nilus'dusty Urn.

—Pope, Alexander

A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of.It certainly may secure all the myrtle and turkey part of it.

—Austen,Jane

Browse dictionary entries near myrtle

  1. myrrh
  2. Myron
  3. myrobalan
  4. Myrmidon
  5. myrmecophagous
  6. myrmecology
  7. myrmeco-
  8. myristic acid
  9. myriapod
  10. myriad
  1. myself
  2. Mysia
  3. mysid
  4. Mysore
  5. mystagogue
  6. mysterioso
  7. mysterious
  8. mystery
  9. mystery play
  10. mystic