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Hyacinth

1. (Science: 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. (Science: chemical) a red variety of zircon, sometimes used as a gem. See zircon.

(Science: 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.