smilax

[ smahy-laks ]

noun
  1. any plant belonging to the genus Smilax, of the lily family, growing in tropical and temperate zones, consisting mostly of vines having woody stems.

  2. a delicate, twining plant, Asparagus asparagoides, of the lily family, having glossy, bright-green, egg-shaped leaves, cultivated by florists.

Origin of smilax

1
1595–1605; <Latin smīlax bindweed <Greek smîlax bindweed, yew

Words Nearby smilax

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British Dictionary definitions for smilax

smilax

/ (ˈsmaɪlæks) /


noun
  1. any typically climbing shrub of the smilacaceous genus Smilax, of warm and tropical regions, having slightly lobed leaves, small greenish or yellow flowers, and berry-like fruits: includes the sarsaparilla plant and greenbrier

  2. a fragile, much branched liliaceous vine, Asparagus asparagoides, of southern Africa: cultivated by florists for its glossy bright green foliage

Origin of smilax

1
C17: via Latin from Greek: bindweed

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