ailanthus

American  

[ey-lan-thuhs] / eɪˈlæn θəs /

noun

ailanthuses plural

1. any tree belonging to the genus Ailanthus, of the quassia family, especially A. altissima, widely grown in cities.

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ailanthus British  

/ eɪˈlænθəs /

noun

1. Also called: tree of heaven.  an E Asian simaroubaceous deciduous tree, Ailanthus altissima, planted in Europe and North America, having pinnate leaves, small greenish flowers, and winged fruits

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• ailanthic
  adjective

Inflected Forms

noun

• ailanthuses
  plural

Etymology

Origin of ailanthus

1788; < New Latin Ailantus, Ailanthus ( th by association with Greek ánthos flower) < Central Moluccan ai lanit ( o ), ai lanit ( e ), equivalent to ai tree, wood + lanit sky + -o, -e a definite article