/merr"tl/ , n.
1. any plant of the genus Myrtus, esp. M. communis, a shrub of southern Europe having evergreen leaves, fragrant white flowers, and aromatic berries: anciently held sacred to Venus and used as an emblem of love. Cf. myrtle family .
2. any of certain unrelated plants, as the periwinkle, Vinca minor, and California laurel, Umbellularia californica.
3. Also called myrtlewood /merr"tl wood'/ . the hard, golden-brown wood of the California laurel.
4. Also called myrtle green . dark green with bluish tinge.
[ 1350-1400; ME mirtile myrtillus, equiv. to L myrt ( us ) ( mýrtos ) + NL -illus dim. suffix ]