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alyssum

noun
alys·​sum | \ ə-ˈli-səm How to pronounce alyssum (audio) \

Definition of alyssum

1 : any of a genus (Alyssum) of Eurasian herbs of the mustard family with small usually yellow racemose flowers

— called also madwort

2 : sweet alyssum

Examples of alyssum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 One evening the Crums came to the bar, bearing a bouquet of rosemary, thyme and alyssum. — Anne Brockhoff, kansascity, "Is your cocktail in season? Bartenders letting gardens dictate what's in your glass," 24 Apr. 2018 One evening the Crums came to the bar, bearing a bouquet of rosemary, thyme and alyssum. — Anne Brockhoff, kansascity, "Is your cocktail in season? Bartenders letting gardens dictate what's in your glass," 24 Apr. 2018 One evening the Crums came to the bar, bearing a bouquet of rosemary, thyme and alyssum. — Anne Brockhoff, kansascity, "Is your cocktail in season? Bartenders letting gardens dictate what's in your glass," 24 Apr. 2018 One evening the Crums came to the bar, bearing a bouquet of rosemary, thyme and alyssum. — Anne Brockhoff, kansascity, "Is your cocktail in season? Bartenders letting gardens dictate what's in your glass," 24 Apr. 2018 One evening the Crums came to the bar, bearing a bouquet of rosemary, thyme and alyssum. — Anne Brockhoff, kansascity, "Is your cocktail in season? Bartenders letting gardens dictate what's in your glass," 24 Apr. 2018 One evening the Crums came to the bar, bearing a bouquet of rosemary, thyme and alyssum. — Anne Brockhoff, kansascity, "Is your cocktail in season? Bartenders letting gardens dictate what's in your glass," 24 Apr. 2018 One evening the Crums came to the bar, bearing a bouquet of rosemary, thyme and alyssum. — Anne Brockhoff, kansascity, "Is your cocktail in season? Bartenders letting gardens dictate what's in your glass," 24 Apr. 2018 One evening the Crums came to the bar, bearing a bouquet of rosemary, thyme and alyssum. — Anne Brockhoff, kansascity, "Is your cocktail in season? Bartenders letting gardens dictate what's in your glass," 24 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'alyssum.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of alyssum

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for alyssum

New Latin, from Greek alysson, plant believed to cure rabies, from neuter of alyssos curing rabies, from a- + lyssa rabies

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The first known use of alyssum was in 1548

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