ailanthus

[ey-lan-thuhs]

noun

plural

ailanthuses 

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

ailanthus

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• ailanthic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ailanthus¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of ailanthus¹

C19: New Latin, from native name (in Amboina) ai lanto tree (of) the gods

Example Sentences

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

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

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

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I felt the warm wind and smelled newly cut grass, and a bird perched on a branch of the ailanthus and sang for a long time before it flew away.

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

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