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Definition of hesperis
hesperis
/ˈhɛs.pər.ɪs/
hes · per · is
Plural:hesperises
hesperis Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
13
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
Syllables
3
• noun
1
Any Eurasian biennial or perennial flowering plant of the genus Hesperis (family Brassicaceae), especially dame's rocket (Hesperis matronalis), cultivated for its loose terminal clusters of four-petaled purple, pink, or white blossoms that become intensely fragrant in the evening.
Synonyms
View all synonyms for hesperis• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Latin hesperis, from Ancient Greek hesperís, derived from hésperos ('evening'), so named because the blossoms release their strongest fragrance in the evening.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Hesperis. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/hesperis