Definition of "heliotrope" []

• Any of several plants of the genus Heliotropium, especially H. arborescens, native to Peru and having small, highly fragrant purplish flowers. Also called turnsole. (noun)
• The garden heliotrope. (noun)
• Any of various plants that turn toward the sun. (noun)
• See bloodstone. (noun)
• A moderate, light, or brilliant violet to moderate or deep reddish purple. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The small aromatic flower which we call heliotrope, with its violet hue and delightful perfume, more nearly answers the description."
• "Deborah and I are very fond of it "-- here she sighed --" but for certain reasons -- reasons you would not understand -- we do not like to hear the word heliotrope mentioned."
• "It was marked out by something called heliotrope cyanosis."