zaire (iou) and hyacinth (medicine)

zaire (iou)

zaire noun. M20.
[from Zaire local name of the Congo River in central Africa.]
Hist. The basic monetary unit of Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), equal to 100 makuta.

hyacinth

1. <botany> A bulbous plant of the genus Hyacinthus, bearing beautiful spikes of fragrant flowers. H. Orientalis is a common variety. A plant of the genus Camassia (C. Farseri), called also Eastern camass; wild hyacinth.

The name also given to Scilla Peruviana, a Mediterranean plant, one variety of which produces white, and another blue, flowers; called also, from a mistake as to its origin, Hyacinth of Peru.

2. <chemical> A red variety of zircon, sometimes used as a gem. See Zircon.

<botany> Hyacinth bean, a climbing leguminous plant (Dolichos Lablab), related to the true bean. It has dark purple flowers and fruit.

Origin: L. Hyacinthus a kind of flower, prob. The iris, gladiolus, or larkspur, also a kind of gem, perh. The sapphire; as, a proper name, Hyacinthus, a beautiful Laconian youth, beloved by Apollo, fr. Gr,: cf. F. Hyacinthe. Cf. Jacinth. The hyacinth was fabled to have sprung from the blood of Hyacinthus, who was accidentally slain by Apollo.

Source: Websters Dictionary

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