dictionary help| heliotrope | medical dictionary |
1. An instrument or machine for showing when the sun arrived at the tropics and equinoctial line.
2. <botany> A plant of the genus Heliotropium; called also turnsole and girasole. H. Peruvianum is the commonly cultivated species with fragrant flowers.
3. An instrument for making signals to an observer at a distance, by means of the sun's rays thrown from a mirror.
4. <chemical>
See Bloodstone . Heliotrope purple, a grayish purple colour.
Origin: F. Heliotrope, L. Heliotropium, Gr.; the sun + to turn, turn. See Heliacal, Trope.
(01 Mar 1998)
helioscope, heliosis, heliotaxis, heliotherapy < Prev | Next > heliotropic, heliotropism, heliotypy
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