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ilang-ilang

[ee-lahng-ee-lahng]
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noun
  1. ylang-ylang.
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ylang-ylang

or i·lang-i·lang

[ee-lahng-ee-lahng]
noun
  1. an aromatic tree, Cananga odorata, of the annona family, native to the Philippines, Java, etc., having fragrant, drooping flowers that yield a volatile oil used in perfumery.
  2. the oil or perfume.
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Origin of ylang-ylang

First recorded in 1875–80, ylang-ylang is from the Tagalog word ilang-ilang
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for ilang-ilang

Historical Examples

  • The rich fragrance of the ilang-ilang reaches even to the window which looks out on the lake.

    Friars and Filipinos

    Jose Rizal

  • Baillon designated as Canangium the section of the genus Uvaria, from which he would not separate the Ilang-ilang tree.

  • A triangular tray of bayug or of ilang-ilang wood decorated with palm fronds is made and suspended from the rafters of the house.

    The Manbos of Mindano

    John M. Garvan

British Dictionary definitions for ilang-ilang

ilang-ilang

noun
  1. a variant spelling of ylang-ylang
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ylang-ylang

ilang-ilang

noun
  1. an aromatic Asian tree, Cananga odorata (or Canangium odoratum), with fragrant greenish-yellow flowers yielding a volatile oil: family Annonaceae
  2. the oil obtained from this tree, used in perfumery
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Word Origin

C19: from Tagalog ilang-ilang
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