online medical dictionary | definition of hyacinth

1. <botany> A bulbous plant of the genus Hyacinthus, bearing beautiful spikes of fragrant flowers. H. Orientalis is a common variety. A plant of the genus Camassia (C. Farseri), called also Eastern camass; wild hyacinth.

The name also given to Scilla Peruviana, a Mediterranean plant, one variety of which produces white, and another blue, flowers; called also, from a mistake as to its origin, Hyacinth of Peru.

2. <chemical>

A red variety of zircon, sometimes used as a gem. See Zircon.

<botany> Hyacinth bean, a climbing leguminous plant (Dolichos Lablab), related to the true bean. It has dark purple flowers and fruit.

Origin: L. Hyacinthus a kind of flower, prob. The iris, gladiolus, or larkspur, also a kind of gem, perh. The sapphire; as, a proper name, Hyacinthus, a beautiful Laconian youth, beloved by Apollo, fr. Gr,: cf. F. Hyacinthe. Cf. Jacinth. The hyacinth was fabled to have sprung from the blood of Hyacinthus, who was accidentally slain by Apollo.

(01 Mar 1998)