n. 1 an evergreen shrub, Calluna vulgaris, with purple bell-shaped flowers. 2 any of various shrubs of the genus Erica or Daboecia, growing esp. on moors and heaths. heather mixture 1 a fabric of mixed hues supposed to resemble heather. 2 the colour of this. heathery adj.
[ ME, Sc., & N.Engl. hathir etc., of unkn. orig.: assim. to heath ]