hyacinth
UK[ˈhaɪ.ə.sɪnθ]US[ˈhaɪ.ə.sɪnθ]
n
a plant with a tall stem and a long cluster of fragrant, bell-shaped flowers, typically blue, pink, or white.
n
a purplish-blue color.
Etymology
the word 'hyacinth' entered english in the 16th century from latin 'hyacinthus', which itself was borrowed from greek 'hyakinthos'. in greek mythology, hyakinthos was a beautiful youth loved by apollo, who was accidentally killed and from whose blood a flower sprang, giving the plant its name. the greek term may have an even older, pre-greek origin, possibly referring to a dark blue mineral or the flower. the modern meaning directly preserves the ancient association with the specific flower and its distinctive color.
Analysis
the word is a simplex loanword from latin. it is not productively segmented in modern english.
Examples
the garden was filled with the sweet scent of blue hyacinths in the spring.
she painted the vase in a delicate shade of hyacinth.
according to the myth, the hyacinth flower bears the markings of apollo's grief.