ailanthus

[ ey-lan-thuh s ]

/ eɪˈlæn θəs /

noun, plural ai·lan·thus·es.

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

Nearby words

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

Related formsai·lan·thic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for ailanthus

This is the ailanthus, a large tree which you have often seen in the village, and which used to be popular as a shade-tree.
Among the Trees at Elmridge|Ella Rodman Church
Once again the waving fronds of the ailanthus tree flung ghostly shadows on the walls.
K|Mary Roberts Rinehart
The ailanthus trees were bare at that time, throwing gaunt arms upward to the November sky.
K|Mary Roberts Rinehart
The Ailanthus, or "Tree of Heaven," is best raised in this way.
Trees of the Northern United States|Austin C. Apgar

I called his attention to the fact that the ailanthus lives only to express itself, while the maple gives sugar.
Riviera Towns|Herbert Adams Gibbons

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 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for ailanthus

ailanthus

"tree of heaven," 1807, Modern Latin, from Amboyna (Malay) ailanto "tree of the gods;" spelling altered by influence of Greek anthos "flower" (see anther).