‖n. pl. [ NL., fr. Gr. mallo`s a lock of wool + fagei^n to eat. ] (Zool.) An extensive group of insects which are parasitic on birds and mammals, and feed on the feathers and hair; -- called also bird lice. See Bird louse, under Bird. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL., fr Gr. &unr_; fleecy. ] (Zool.) A genus of small Arctic fishes. One American species, the capelin (Mallotus villosus), is extensively used as bait for cod. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Bot.) The natural family Malvaceae, a dilleniid dicot family consisting of herbs and shrubs and some trees, and including the mallows, cotton, and okra. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

{ } 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The flowers of the common mallow (Malva sylvestris) are used in medicine. The dwarf mallow (Malva rotundifolia) is a common weed, and its flattened, dick-shaped fruits are called cheeses by children. Tree mallow (Malva Mauritiana and Lavatera arborea), musk mallow (Malva moschata), rose mallow or hollyhock, and curled mallow (Malva crispa), are less commonly seen. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Bot.) Any plant of the order Malvaceae. [ 1913 Webster ]