Melilot
/ˈmɛlɪlɒt/noun
Any of several sweet-smelling plants of the genus Melilotus, especially yellow sweet clover.
Did you know?Melilot’s characteristic hay-like scent comes largely from coumarin, a compound whose name ultimately traces to the plant’s scientific genus.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*melid-
“Reconstructed root associated with honey and sweetness”
Ancient Greek
Greek
μέλι (meli)
“Honey”
Ancient Greek
Greek
μελίλωτος (melilōtos)
“Honey-lotus; a plant name formed from meli, “honey,” and lōtos, “lotus””
Ancient Latin
Latin
melilōtus
“Melilot or sweet clover”
Middle English
English
melilot
“The melilot plant, recorded as a medicinal or aromatic herb”
Modern English
English
melilot
“A sweet-smelling flowering plant of the genus Melilotus”
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