oleaster

[ oh-lee-as-ter ]

noun

1. an ornamental shrub or small tree, Elaeagnus angustifolia, of Eurasia, having fragrant yellow flowers and an olivelike fruit.

oleaster

/ ˌəʊlɪˈæstə /

noun

1. any of several shrubs of the genus Elaeagnus, esp E. angustifolia, of S Europe, Asia, and North America, having silver-white twigs, yellow flowers, and an olive-like fruit: family Elaeagnaceae
2. Also calledwild olive a wild specimen of the cultivated olive

Word History and Origins

Origin of oleaster¹

before 1000; Middle English < Latin: wild olive tree, derivative of olea olive

Word History and Origins

Origin of oleaster¹

Latin: from olea; see olive , oil

Example Sentences

Some punster will say, respecting oleaster, that it is olea sterilis.

From Project Gutenberg