həˈlēzh(ē)ə, hāˈ- noun
Etymology: New Latin, from Stephen Hales died 1761 English physiologist + New Latin -ia
1. capitalized : a genus of small trees (family Styracaceae) of southeastern No. America having alternate leaves and white bell-shaped flowers borne in great profusion before the leaves — see silver bell
2. -s : any plant of the genus Halesia