any plant of the malvaceous genus Malva, esp M. sylvestris of Europe, having purple, pink, or white flowers
See also dwarf mallow, musk mallow
2.
any of various related plants, such as the marsh mallow, rose mallow, Indian mallow, and tree mallow
Word origin
Old English mealuwe, from Latin malva; probably related to Greek malakhē mallow
mallow in American English
(ˈmæloʊ)
noun
1.
any of a genus (Malva) of plants of the mallow family, with dissected or lobed leaves
2.
any of various other plants of the mallow family, as the marsh mallow or rose mallow
adjective
3.
designating a family (Malvaceae, order Malvales) of dicotyledonous plants, including the hollyhock, cotton, marsh mallow, and okra, typically having large, showy flowers with many stamens borne on a tube, and a sticky juice in their stems, leaves, and roots
Word origin
ME malwe < OE mealuwe < L malva (> Ger malve, Fr mauve): see malachite
Examples of 'mallow' in a sentence
mallow
Hollyhocks and mallow crowded the beds with roses and honeysuckle vying for position on the front wall.