ailanthus

American  

[ey-lan-thuhs] / eɪˈlæn θəs /

noun

PLURAL

ailanthuses

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

• ailanthic adjective

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

Example Sentences

Invaders such as kudzu, stiltgrass and ailanthus are having a party no one seems able to break up.

From Washington Post

The list includes English ivy, porcelain berry, bush and vining honeysuckles, ailanthus, Japanese viburnums, burning bush and wisterias.

From Washington Post

Problem trees and shrubs include ailanthus, callery or Bradford pear, autumn olive, bush honeysuckles, winged burning bush and Japanese barberry.

From Washington Post

In the neglected, ivy-covered garden, with its centerpiece, a glorious ailanthus tree, Santangelo discovered several unsigned sculptures in terracotta and cement.

From New York Times

Recent additions are the eucalyptus, casuarina, Pinus pinea and ailanthus.

From Project Gutenberg