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wax myrtle

noun
  1. an aromatic shrub, Myrica cerifera, of the southeastern U.S., bearing small berries coated with wax that is sometimes used in making candles.
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Compare bayberry.

Origin of wax myrtle

First recorded in 1800–10
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for wax myrtle

Historical Examples

  • Before the Revolution a favorite candle for burning at fine houses was made of the wax-myrtle berry.

    Stories of American Life and Adventure

    Edward Eggleston

British Dictionary definitions for wax myrtle

wax myrtle

noun
  1. a shrub, Myrica cerifera, of SE North America, having evergreen leaves and a small berry-like fruit with a waxy coating: family MyricaceaeAlso called: bayberry, candleberry, waxberry
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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