Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

bo tree

[boh]
noun
  1. the pipal, or sacred fig tree, Ficus religiosa, of India, under which the founder of Buddhism is reputed to have attained the Enlightenment that constituted him the Buddha.
Show More

Origin of bo tree

1860–65; partial translation of Sinhalese bogaha, equivalent to bo (< Pali bodhi < Sanskrit; see Bodhisattva) + gaha tree
Also called bodhi tree.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for bo tree

Historical Examples of bo tree

  • They are afterwards hung on the sacred Bo-tree, but never burned.

    The Kingdom of the Yellow Robe

    Ernest Young

  • Making flower and other offerings to the great Bo-Tree, he walked round it.

  • Usually a bo-tree is planted on the graves of the Kandy priests.

  • They saw here the sacred Bo-tree, of which they had before been informed.

    Across India

    Oliver Optic

  • A learned thera who knew the Sinhalese Tipitaka was imported thence, as well as a branch of the Bo-tree.

British Dictionary definitions for bo tree

bo tree

noun
  1. another name for the peepul
Show More

Word Origin for bo tree

C19: from Sinhalese, from Pali bodhitaru tree of wisdom, from Sanskrit bodhi wisdom, awakening; see Bodhisattva
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 bo tree

n.

1680s, from Sinhalese bo, from Pali bodhi, short for bodhi-taru "bo tree," literally "tree of wisdom or enlightenment" (related to Sanskrit buddhah "awakened;" see bid) + taru "tree."

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper