Hyacinthine
/ˌhaɪ.əˈsɪn.θaɪn/noun
Relating to a hyacinth, especially its color or fragrance, or resembling its deep blue-purple hue.
Did you know?In Greek myth, the hyacinth flower sprang from the blood of Hyacinthus after Apollo accidentally killed him, making the word a surviving trace of a transformation legend.
Etymological Timeline
Mycenaean or pre-Greek period
Greek substrate
*hyákinthos
“A reconstructed or borrowed plant-name; its ultimate origin is uncertain and may predate Greek.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ὑάκινθος (hyákinthos)
“Hyacinth; a flower associated with the mythic youth Hyacinthus.”
Classical Greek
Greek
ὑακίνθινος (hyakínthinos)
“Hyacinth-colored or made of hyacinth.”
Ancient Latin
Latin
hyacinthinus
“Hyacinth-colored; resembling the hyacinth.”
Middle English
English
jacinct / jacint
“A hyacinth or a blue gemstone; forms influenced by Old French and Latin.”
17th Century
English
hyacinthine
“Resembling a hyacinth, especially in color, appearance, or fragrance.”
Modern English
English
hyacinthine
“Hyacinth-like or deep blue-purple in color.”
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