oleander

[ oh-lee-an-der, oh-lee-an- ]

/ ˈoʊ liˌæn dər, ˌoʊ liˈæn- /

noun

a poisonous shrub, Nerium oleander, of the dogbane family, native to southern Eurasia, having evergreen leaves and showy clusters of pink, red, or white flowers, and widely cultivated as an ornamental.

Nearby words

ole-, olea, oleaceous, oleaginous, olean, oleander, olearia, oleaster, oleate, olecranon, oled

Origin of oleander

1540–50; < Medieval Latin oleander, oliandrum, obscurely akin to Late Latin laurandrum, perhaps a conflation of Latin laurus laurel and rhododendron rhododendron

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

Examples from the Web for oleander

Mrs. Oleander sat before the blazing fire, plucking a fowl; Sally stood at the table, kneading dough.
The Unseen Bridgegroom|May Agnes Fleming
But very early in the day she saw the father hurrying up the oleander avenue.
Remember the Alamo|Amelia E. Barr
In the lingering gleams of sunlight, oleander blossoms overhead were glowing masses of colour against the grey stone wall.
Pictures in Umbria|Katharine S. (Katharine Sarah) Macquoid
Dr. Oleander was inclined to be pleased, despite the green spectacles.
The Unseen Bridgegroom|May Agnes Fleming

While there are many named varieties of the Oleander, but two are often seen in general cultivation.
The Practical Garden-Book|C. E. Hunn

British Dictionary definitions for oleander

oleander

/ (ˌəʊlɪˈændə) /

noun

a poisonous evergreen Mediterranean apocynaceous shrub or tree, Nerium oleander, with fragrant white, pink, or purple flowersAlso called: rosebay

Word Origin for oleander

C16: from Medieval Latin, variant of arodandrum, perhaps from Latin rhododendron

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 oleander

oleander

"rose bay," a poisonous evergreen Mediterranean shrub, c.1400, from Medieval Latin oleander, probably (by influence of Latin olea "olive tree") from Late Latin lorandrum, from Latin rhododendron (see rhododendron), itself altered by influence of Latin laurea "laurel," on resemblance of leaves. This round-about etymology is supported by the French word for it, laurier rose.