helenium

noun

he·​le·​ni·​um
hə̇ˈlēnēəm
1
capitalized : a genus of American herbs (family Compositae) with heads of yellow-rayed flowers and truncate-style branches see sneezeweed sense 1
2
plural -s : any plant of the genus Helenium

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, a plant, elecampane, from Greek helenion, perhaps from helenē wicker basket; akin to Greek helix (adjective) twisted, (noun) spiral, anything of spiral shape, helissein to turn, wind, eilein to wind, roll, eilyein to enfold, enwrap

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Cite this Entry

“Helenium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/helenium. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.

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