heliotrope UK /ˈhiː.li.ə.tɹəʊp/US /ˈhi.li.əˌtɹoʊp/noun 8adjective 1forms 3 noun8 •A plant of the genus Heliotropium, especially a common heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens), which has clusters of purple flowers with a strong fragrance.As they entered now, it seemed a blaze of roses and carnations, though one recognised in a moment the presence of the lily, the heliotrope, and the stock. — 1870 •With a qualifying word: any of various plants resembling those of the genus Heliotropium. •A light purple or violet colour like that of Heliotropium arborescens flowers. •The fragrance of Heliotropium arborescens flowers, or a scent resembling this fragrance.He had lost his affable smile, and wore a look of almost military resolution; […] he had always smelt so much more of heliotrope than of gunpowder. — 1881 •A plant with flowers which turn to face and follow the sun, such as (archaic) marigolds and sunflowers.Cordials. […] Flovvers of Heliotrope, […] — 1627 •An instrument that uses a mirror to reflect sunlight for purposes such as signalling, or (surveying) triangulation (where the reflected light is detected by another surveyor positioned some distance away). •Synonym of bloodstone (“a green chalcedony that is sprinkled with red spots or veins of hematite”).Amid this dread exuberance of woe / Ran naked spirits wing'd with horrid fear, / Nor hope had they of crevice where to hide, / Or heliotrope to charm them out of view. — 1814 •(historical) An ancient type of sundial consisting of a bowl with a perpendicular gnomon mounted in the centre. adjective1 •Of a light purple or violet colour like that of Heliotropium arborescens flowers."Lady in a heliotrope dress with a lace collar, three flounces on the skirt?" / "That's right, Mr. Bennett," agreed old Goslin. / "It's the Babe himself!" asserted Harry Bennett. — 1904 formsheliotropes · more heliotrope · most heliotrope
