from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Mallow \Mal"low\, Mallows \Mal"lows\, n. [OE. malwe, AS. mealwe,
fr. L. malva, akin to Gr. mala`chh; cf. mala`ssein to soften,
malako`s soft. Named either from its softening or relaxing
properties, or from its soft downy leaves. Cf. {Mauve},
{Malachite}.] (Bot.)
A genus of plants ({Malva}) having mucilaginous qualities.
See {Malvaceous}.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The flowers of the common mallow ({Malva sylvestris})
are used in medicine. The dwarf mallow ({Malva
rotundifolia}) is a common weed, and its flattened,
dick-shaped fruits are called cheeses by children. Tree
mallow ({Malva Mauritiana} and {Lavatera arborea}),
musk mallow ({Malva moschata}), rose mallow or
hollyhock, and curled mallow ({Malva crispa}), are less
commonly seen.
[1913 Webster]
{Indian mallow}. See {Abutilon}.
{Jew's mallow}, a plant ({Corchorus olitorius}) used as a pot
herb by the Jews of Egypt and Syria.
{Marsh mallow}. See under {Marsh}.
[1913 Webster]