Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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}.

   Note: The flowers of the common mallow ({M. sylvestris}) are
         used in medicine. The dwarf mallow ({M. rotundifolia})
         is a common weed, and its flattened, dick-shaped fruits
         are called cheeses by children. Tree mallow ({M.
         Mauritiana} and {Lavatera arborea}), musk mallow ({M.
         moschata}), rose mallow or hollyhock, and curled mallow
         ({M. crispa}), are less commonly seen.

   {Indian mallow}. See {Abutilon}.

   {Jew's mallow}, a plant ({Corchorus olitorius}) used as a pot
      herb by the Jews of Egypt and Syria.

   {Marsh mallow}. See under {Marsh}.

Source : WordNet®

Malva
     n : herbs and subshrubs: mallows [syn: {genus Malva}]