Wiktionary:Word of the day/2023/July 12

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Word of the day
for July 12
heliotrope n
  1. (countable, botany, also figuratively) A plant with flowers which turn to face and follow the sun, such as (archaic) marigolds and sunflowers.
    1. (specifically) A plant of the genus Heliotropium, especially the common heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens) which has clusters of purple flowers with a strong fragrance.
    2. With a qualifying word: any of various plants resembling those of the genus Heliotropium.
  2. (uncountable) The fragrance of Heliotropium arborescens flowers, or a scent resembling this fragrance.
  3. (uncountable, color) A light purple or violet colour like that of Heliotropium arborescens flowers.
    heliotrope:  
  4. (countable) An instrument that uses a mirror to reflect sunlight for purposes such as signalling, or (surveying) triangulation (where the reflected light is detected by another surveyor positioned some distance away).
  5. (countable, historical) An ancient type of sundial consisting of a bowl with a perpendicular gnomon mounted in the centre.
  6. (countable, uncountable, mineralogy) Synonym of bloodstone (“a green chalcedony that is sprinkled with red spots or veins of hematite”)

heliotrope adj

  1. Of a light purple or violet colour like that of Heliotropium arborescens flowers.
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