ˈhēlēə.ˌtrōp, -lyə.-, Brit usually ˈhel- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin heliotropium, from Greek hēliotropion, from hēlios sun + -tropion (from tropos turn) — more at solar , trope
1.
a. obsolete : a plant of which the flower or stem turns toward the sun
b.
[New Latin Heliotropium ]
: a plant of the genus Heliotropium ; especially : garden heliotrope 2
c. : garden heliotrope 1
2. : bloodstone 1
3. : an instrument used in geodetic surveying for making long-distance observations by means of the sun's rays thrown from a mirror
4.
a. : a variable color averaging a moderate purple that is bluer, lighter, and stronger than cobalt violet, manganese violet, or average amethyst, bluer and deeper than average lilac (sense 3a), and redder, stronger, and slightly lighter than mignon
b. : a moderate reddish purple that is redder and duller than bishop's violet
c. : any of various dyes imparting this color
5. : a perfume imitating the scent of the garden heliotrope (sense 1)
[s]heliotro.jpg[/s] [
heliotrope 1
]