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 • Sep. 7, 2021

It was April, and the branches of the ailanthus were spread as wide as the living room, creating a treehouse effect.

From New York Times • Apr. 17, 2017

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 • Apr. 17, 2017

The "rare and beautiful ailanthus" turns out to be the weedy "stink tree," nothing like its brochure picture; the "amazing climbing peach" produces an inedible gourd unrelated to the peach.

From Time Magazine Archive

I went back to the lounge chair, sat down, and continued to stare at the sunlight on the ailanthus.

From "The Chosen" by Chaim Potok