Melissa

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /məˈlɪsÉ™/

Origin

From Late Latin melissa, from Ancient Greek μέλισσα ("bee") (because the plant attracted bees).

Full definition of melissa

Noun

1. A plant of the Melissa genus, especially lemon balm, often used medicinally.
• 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, II.4.1.iii:Melissa, Bawm, hath an admirable vertue to alter melancholy, be it steeped in our ordinary drink, extracted, or otherwise taken.

Synonyms

• dropsywort, honey plant