The DICT Development Group

  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">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]

  mallow
      n 1: any of various plants of the family Malvaceae