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Glite Dictionary
common mallow

common mallow

7.4
A low wild plant with round leaves and pink or white flower clusters
  • noun
  • /ˈkɑːmən ˈmæl.oʊ/
translation icon : malva común
  • The leaves of the common mallow are sometimes used in traditional medicine.

Examples

  • In summer, the common mallow produces clusters of delicate pink blossoms in the garden.

  • The common mallow grows abundantly in the wild.

  • We found common mallow growing wild along the edge of the old field.

  • You can find common mallows in many gardens.

  • In my garden, the common mallow blooms beautifully with pink flowers throughout the summer.

  • The common mallow is often found growing wild along roadsides in Europe and Asia.

  • Bees are attracted to the bright flowers of the common mallow, which adds color to any landscape.

Synonyms

mallow
vscommon mallow
3 7.0

A small plant with pink or purple flowers and soft hairy leaves

is the specific species with clusters of pink or white flowers and defined range
Malva sylvestris
vscommon mallow
  • Specialized
9.9

A plant that lives for several years and has rosy-purple flowers native to Europe and Asia

is the common name and includes wider native range and white flowers

Surface Forms

common mallow singular
common mallows plural

Morphology

common + mallow

The noun phrase is directly compositional: 'common' (frequently occurring) modifies 'mallow' (the plant), so the phrase denotes a mallow that is common or widespread. This follows the regular adjective + noun pattern found cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Common mallow may come from old words for 'soft' because people used the plant's soft leaves to soothe skin and sore throats. The word common was added because the plant grows in many places, so the name points to this widespread, gentle herb.