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ailanthus
[ ey-lan-thuhs ]
/ eɪˈlæn θəs /
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noun, plural ai·lan·thus·es.
any tree belonging to the genus Ailanthus, of the quassia family, especially A. altissima, widely grown in cities.
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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
OTHER WORDS FROM ailanthus
ai·lan·thic, adjectiveWords nearby ailanthus
AIH, Aiken, aikido, aikona, ail, ailanthus, ailanthus silkworm, Aileen, aileron, aileron roll, ailette
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use ailanthus in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for ailanthus
ailanthus
/ (eɪˈlænθəs) /
noun plural -thuses
an E Asian simaroubaceous deciduous tree, Ailanthus altissima, planted in Europe and North America, having pinnate leaves, small greenish flowers, and winged fruitsAlso called: tree of heaven
Word Origin for ailanthus
C19: New Latin, from native name (in Amboina) ai lanto tree (of) the gods
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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