He"li*o*trope (?), n. [F. h'eliotrope, L. heliotropium, Gr. ; the sun + to turn, turn. See Heliacal, Trope.]

1. Anc. Astron.

An instrument or machine for showing when the sun arrived at the tropics and equinoctial line.

2. Bot.

A plant of the genus Heliotropium; -- called also turnsole and girasole. H. Peruvianum is the commonly cultivated species with fragrant flowers.

3. Geodesy & Signal Service

An instrument for making signals to an observer at a distance, by means of the sun's rays thrown from a mirror.

4. Min.

See Bloodstone (a).

Heliotrope purple, a grayish purple color.

 

© Webster 1913.