/ ˈælɪsəm; NAmE ; əˈlɪsəm/ noun
[ C , U ] one of several types of plant. Some types, with small white, blue, or pink flowers, are common in gardens.
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (used loosely to denote various medicinal herbs): modern Latin , from Latin alysson , from Greek alusson , from a- without + lussa rabies (referring to early herbalist use).