aloe

[ al-oh ]

/ ˈæl oʊ /

noun, plural al·oes.

any chiefly African shrub belonging to the genus Aloe, of the lily family, certain species of which yield a fiber.

aloe vera.

century plant.

aloes, (used with a singular verb) agalloch.

Nearby words

almug, alnico, aloadae, alocasia, alodium, aloe, aloe vera, aloes, aloeswood, aloeus, alofi

Origin of aloe

before 950; Middle English alōe, alow, alewen; Old English al(u)we, alewe (compare Old Saxon, Old High German āloê) < Latin aloē < Greek alóē, perhaps < South Asia via Hebrew

Related forms

al·o·et·ic

[al-oh-et-ik] /ˌæl oʊˈɛt ɪk/, adjective

Definition for aloes (2 of 2)

agalloch

[ uh-gal-uh k, ag-uh-lok ]

/ əˈgæl ək, ˈæg əˌlɒk /

noun

the fragrant, resinous wood of an East Indian tree, Aquilaria agallocha, of the mezereum family, used as incense in Asia.

Origin of agalloch

1625–35; < Late Latin agallochon < Greek agállochon (altered by influence of agállein to decorate); ultimately of Dravidian orig.; see eaglewood

Also called a·gal·lo·chum

[uh-gal-uh-kuh m] /əˈgæl ə kəm/, ag·al·wood

[ag-uh l-woo d] /ˈæg əlˌwʊd/, agilawood, aloes, aloeswood, eaglewood, lignaloes.

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

Examples from the Web for aloes

According to Birotteau aloes and opium were only to be found in the Rue des Lombards.
Rise and Fall of Cesar Birotteau|Honore de Balzac
A peculiar compound formed by the action of strong nitric acid on indigo, aloes, wool, and several other substances.
Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume II|Arnold Cooley
Those to be preferred are aloes, colocynth,50 and podophyllin.
A System of Practical Medicine By American Authors, Vol. II|Various
When aloes or gamboge is powdered, a few drops of olive oil are commonly added with the same intention.
Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume II|Arnold Cooley

And Nicodemus brought some precious spices, myrrh and aloes, which they wrapped up with the body.
The Wonder Book of Bible Stories|Compiled by Logan Marshall

British Dictionary definitions for aloes (1 of 3)

aloes

/ (ˈæləʊz) /

noun (functioning as singular)

Also called: aloes wood another name for eaglewood

bitter aloes a bitter purgative drug made from the leaves of several species of aloe

British Dictionary definitions for aloes (2 of 3)

agalloch

/ (əˈɡælək) /

noun

another name for eaglewood

Word Origin for agalloch

C17: from Greek agallokhon

British Dictionary definitions for aloes (3 of 3)

aloe

/ (ˈæləʊ) /

noun plural -oes

any plant of the liliaceous genus Aloe, chiefly native to southern Africa, with fleshy spiny-toothed leaves and red or yellow flowers

American aloe another name for century plant

Derived Forms

aloetic (ˌæləʊˈɛtɪk), adjective

Word Origin for aloe

C14: from Latin aloē, from Greek

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

Medicine definitions for aloes

aloe

[ ăl′ō ]

n.

Any of various chiefly African plants of the genus Aloe, having rosettes of succulent, often spiny-margined leaves and long stalks bearing yellow, orange, or red tubular flowers.

Aloe vera.

Any of various laxative drugs obtained from the processed juice of a certain species of aloe.