aloe

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The resins of the tree Aquilaria malaccensis (syn. Aquilaria agallocha), known for their fragrant aroma, produced after infection by the fungus Phialophora parasitica.
  2. Any plant of the large and variable genus Aloe.
  3. Misnomer for any large, vaguely aloe-like plant, such as Agave
  4. A strong, bitter drink made from the juice of such plants, used as a purgative.

Pronunciation

/ˈæ.loʊ/ /əˈləʊ.i/ /ˈæ.ləʊ/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vininn126-aloe.wav

Word forms

aloe aloes aloë

Etymology

From Old English alwe (“fragrant resin of an East Indian tree”), from Latin aloē, from Ancient Greek ᾰ̓λόη (ălóē), from Hebrew אָהָל (ʾāhāl) or related Aramaic forms, ultimately from Tamil அகில் (akil); reinforced in Middle English by Old French aloes.

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