olive

¹ American  

[ol-iv] / ˈɒl ɪv /

noun

1. an evergreen tree, Olea europaea, of Mediterranean and other warm regions, cultivated chiefly for its fruit.

2. the fruit of this tree, a small oval drupe, eaten as a relish and used as a source of oil.

3. Also called olive wood.  the wood of this tree, valued for ornamental work.

4. the foliage of this tree.

5. a wreath of it.

6. any of various related or similar trees.

7. olive branch.

8. the ocher green or dull yellow green of the unripe olive fruit.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or made of olives, their foliage, or their fruit.

2. of the color olive.

3. tinged with this color.

   an olive complexion.

Olive ² American  

[ol-iv] / ˈɒl ɪv /

noun

1. a female given name.

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olive British  

/ ˈɒlɪv /

noun

1. an evergreen oleaceous tree, Olea europaea, of the Mediterranean region but cultivated elsewhere, having white fragrant flowers, and edible shiny black fruits

2. the fruit of this plant, eaten as a relish and used as a source of olive oil

3. the wood of the olive tree, used for ornamental work

4. any of various trees or shrubs resembling the olive

5. 1. a yellow-green colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      an olive coat

6. an angler's name for the dun of various mayflies or an artificial fly in imitation of this

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or made of the olive tree, its wood, or its fruit

Other Word Forms

• subolive adjective

Etymology

Origin of olive

1150–1200; Middle English < Old French < Latin olīva, by-form of olea < dialectal Greek *elaíwa olive, olive tree; oil, oleaceous

Example Sentences

Polyunsaturated fatty acids, found in Mediterranean-style diets rich in fish oil, olives and nuts, may reduce visceral fat.

From Science Daily

At minimum, this might be a bowl of lemons, a pile of fresh herbs, flaky salt and a bottle of good olive oil.

From Salon

They even have Parmesan cheese and olive oil in the clubhouse, where Pasquantino also gives a bottle of wine to the MVPs of the game.

From The Wall Street Journal

Before it goes into the oven, lightly pat the exterior with olive oil — not a drench, just a gloss — then finish it with a final snowfall of black pepper and a pinch of flaky salt.

From Salon

My Domino’s order is a small pepperoni, pineapple, olives and sausage slice ... hand tossed, cheesed up, and then I will get a side of garlic knots and a side of buffalo wings with ranch.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• beige
• brownish
• drab
• khaki