1.
[syn: rosebay, Rhododendron maxima]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Oleander \O`le*an"der\, n. [F. ol['e]andre (cf. It. oleandro,
LL. lorandrum), prob. corrupted, under the influence of
laurus laurel, fr. L. rhododendron, Gr. ?; ? rose + ? tree.]
(Bot.)
A beautiful evergreen shrub (Nerium oleander) of the
Dogbane family, having clusters of fragrant red, white, or
pink flowers. It is a native of the East Indies, but the red
variety has become common in the south of Europe. Called also
rosebay, rose laurel, and South-sea rose.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
Note: Every part of the plant is dangerously poisonous, and
death has occured from using its wood for skewers in
cooking meat.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Rosebay \Rose"bay`\, n. (Bot.)
(a) the oleander. [Obs.]
(b) Any shrub of the genus Rhododendron. [U.S.]
(c) An herb (Epilobium spicatum) with showy purple
flowers, common in Europe and North America; -- called
also great willow herb.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
rosebay
n 1: late-spring-blooming rhododendron of eastern North America
having rosy to pink-purple flowers [syn: rosebay,
Rhododendron maxima]