Word Study
hollyhock
CIDE DICTIONARY
hollyhock, n. [OE. holihoc; holi holy + hoc mallow, AS. hoc; cf. W. hocys mallows, hocys bendigaid hollyhock, lit., blessed mallow. Prob. so named because brought from the Holy Land. See Holy.].
A species of Althæa (Althæa rosea ), bearing flowers of various colors; -- called also rose mallow .
"Rose mallow is listed as a variety of Hibiscus, not Hollyhock in several Web pages. Name change???" [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
hollyhock, n. a tall plant, Alcea rosea, with large showy flowers of various colours.
Etymology
ME (orig. = marsh mallow) f. HOLY + obs. hock mallow, OE hoc, of unkn. orig.
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