Celastrus

noun

Ce·​las·​trus
sə̇ˈlastrəs
: a genus (the type of the family Celastraceae) of woody vines and erect shrubs native chiefly to Asia and Australia and having alternate deciduous leaves, flowers in panicles or racemes, and fruit a 3-valved orange or yellow capsule see bittersweet

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek kēlastros holly

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Cite this Entry

“Celastrus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Celastrus. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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