ilex

[ ahy-leks ]

/ ˈaɪ lɛks /

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noun

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THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

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Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of ilex

1350–1400; Middle English <Latin

Words nearby ilex

Îles Mascareignes, Îles sous le Vent, Iletin, ileum, ileus, ilex, Ilford, I.L.G.W.U., Ilhéus, ilia, iliac

Other definitions for ilex (2 of 2)

ilex²

[ ahy-leks ]

/ ˈaɪ lɛks /

noun

any tree or shrub of the genus Ilex.

a holly.

Origin of ilex

1555–65; <New Latin, Latin īlexilex¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ilex in a sentence

Does not the Sacred Tree of the village of Kerdami—a noble ilex of most unusual size—still command more than reverence?
The Cradle of Mankind|W.A. Wigram
I thought of the white flowers that grew in the dark corners of the old garden at the Wern, by the great ilex tree.
The Secret Glory|Arthur Machen
Eik is the ilex or scarlet oak; thyrnir, a thorn; metaphorically for a stag's antlers.
The Elder Eddas of Saemund Sigfusson; and the Younger Eddas of Snorre Sturleson|Saemund Sigfusson and Snorre Sturleson
Moving through the vivid lights and shadows of the ilex and cypress grove, her appearance had a charm of unwonted simplicity.
The History of Sir Richard Calmady|Lucas Malet

In the middle distance, a few ilex and cypress trees were effectively and naturally distributed.
Tales from "Blackwood"|Various

British Dictionary definitions for ilex

ilex

/ (ˈaɪlɛks) /

noun

any of various trees or shrubs of the widely distributed genus Ilex, such as the holly and inkberry: family Aquifoliaceae

another name for the holm oak

Word Origin for ilex

C16: from Latin

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