Daphne

[ daf-nee ]
/ ˈdæf ni /

noun

Classical Mythology. a nymph who, when pursued by Apollo, was saved by being changed into a laurel tree.
(lowercase) Botany. any Eurasian shrub belonging to the genus Daphne, certain species of which, as D. mezereum, are cultivated for their fragrant flowers.
a female given name.

Origin of Daphne

< Latin Daphnē < Greek dáphnē laurel

Definition for daphne (2 of 2)

mezereum
[ muh-zeer-ee-uh m ]
/ məˈzɪər i əm /

noun

a shrub, Daphne mezereum, native to Eurasia, having clusters of fragrant purplish flowers.
Also me·ze·re·on [muh-zeer-ee-on] /məˈzɪər iˌɒn/.
Also called daphne.

Origin of mezereum

1470–80; (< New Latin) < Medieval Latin mezereon < Arabic māzaryūn < Persian

Example sentences from the Web for daphne

British Dictionary definitions for daphne (1 of 3)

daphne
/ (ˈdæfnɪ) /

noun

any shrub of the Eurasian thymelaeaceous genus Daphne, such as the mezereon and spurge laurel: ornamentals with shiny evergreen leaves and clusters of small bell-shaped flowers See also laurel (def. 4)

Word Origin for daphne

via Latin from Greek: laurel

British Dictionary definitions for daphne (2 of 3)

Daphne
/ (ˈdæfnɪ) /

noun

Greek myth a nymph who was saved from the amorous attentions of Apollo by being changed into a laurel tree

British Dictionary definitions for daphne (3 of 3)

mezereum

mezereon

/ (mɪˈzɪərɪəm) /

noun

the dried bark of certain shrubs of the genus Daphne, esp mezereon, formerly used as a vesicant and to treat arthritis