holly
NounOpen English WordNet
Noun (2)
- United States rock star (1936-1959)Synonyms: Buddy HollyCharles Hardin HolleyInstance of rock star, songwriter
- any tree or shrub of the genus Ilex having red berries and shiny evergreen leaves with prickly edgesType of angiospermous tree, flowering treeKinds Georgia holly, deciduous holly, inkberry, juneberry holly, smooth winterberry holly, largeleaf holly, tall gallberry holly, American holly, common winterberry holly, yaupon holly +3 moreMember of Ilex, genus Ilex
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Wholly. obsolete Geoffrey Chaucer
Origin: OE holi, holin, AS. holen, holegn; akin to D. & G. hulst, OHG. huls hulis, W. celyn, Armor. kelen, Gael. cuilionn, Ir. cuileann. Cf. 1st Holm, Hulver.
1. Botany A tree or shrub of the genus Ilex. The European species (Ilex Aquifolium) is best known, having glossy green leaves, with a spiny, waved edge, and bearing berries that turn red or yellow about Michaelmas.
☞ The holly is much used to adorn churches and houses, at Christmas time, and hence is associated with scenes of good will and rejoicing. It is an evergreen tree, and has a finegrained, heavy, white wood. Its bark is used as a febrifuge, and the berries are violently purgative and emetic. The American holly is the Ilex opaca, and is found along the coast of the United States, from Maine southward. Asa Gray
2. Botany The holm oak. See 1st Holm.
Holly-leaved oak Botany, the black scrub oak. See Scrub oak. — Holly rose Botany, a West Indian shrub, with showy, yellow flowers (Turnera ulmifolia). — Sea holly Botany, a species of Eryngium. See Eryngium.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54