(n) genus of erect herbs of the Middle East having showy flowers: hollyhocks; in some classification systems synonymous with genus Althaea, Syn. genus Alcea
‖n. [ L., equiv. to Gr. &unr_;. See Halcyon. ] (Zool.) A genus of perching birds, including the European kingfisher (Alcedo ispida). See Halcyon. [ 1913 Webster ]