eucalyptus

[ yoo-kuh-lip-tuhs ]

noun

, plural eu·ca·lyp·ti [yoo-k, uh, -, lip, -tahy], eu·ca·lyp·tus·es.

1. any of numerous often tall trees belonging to the genus Eucalyptus, of the myrtle family, native to Australia and adjacent islands, having aromatic evergreen leaves that are the source of medicinal oils and heavy wood used as timber.

eucalyptus

/ ˈjuːkəˌlɪpt; ˌjuːkəˈlɪptəs /

noun

1. any myrtaceous tree of the mostly Australian genus Eucalyptus, such as the blue gum and ironbark, widely cultivated for the medicinal oil in their leaves ( eucalyptus oil ), timber, and ornament

Other Words From

• euca·lyptic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of eucalyptus¹

1800–10; < New Latin < Greek eu- eu- + kalyptós covered, wrapped, akin to kalýptein to cover

Word History and Origins

Origin of eucalyptus¹

C19: New Latin, from eu- + Greek kaluptos covered, from kaluptein to cover, hide

Example Sentences

Even so, to encourage more people to protect themselves against bug bites, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has endorsed the use of natural oil of lemon eucalyptus, as well as picaridin, an odorless and less greasy alternative to deet.

From Outside Online

Make sure you take in some of the out-of-this-world cliff views toward the Southern Ocean before you go all the way inland to meet an array of lush greens, eucalyptus forests, fresh rivers and cave systems.

From Ozy

At first, it tried to convince local residents to plant seedlings of fast-growing exotic trees, like eucalyptus, Duguma says.

From Science News

After rinsing it off, a pleasant tingle remained on my skin, thanks to essential peppermint and eucalyptus oils.

From Outside Online

In Victoria, Peasant Girl Produce created a soap bar made with activated charcoal from burned eucalyptus trees.

From Washington Post

The school was made up of low, Mission Revival–style buildings surrounded by redwoods and eucalyptus trees stirred by the wind.

From The Daily Beast

It was deep twilight in the room, and rather cold, for the eucalyptus and olive logs in the fireplace still awaited the match.

From Project Gutenberg

Marie tilted back her head and looked up at the tall row of eucalyptus trees feathered against the stars.

From Project Gutenberg

Looking at him as he lay back among the eucalyptus leaves, pale and emaciated, I knew the end was now very near.

From Project Gutenberg

The grasses and ferns there grew to a prodigious height, and there were magnificent forests of white gum and eucalyptus.

From Project Gutenberg

In this country eucalyptus seeds are reared in a greenhouse.

From Project Gutenberg