Main Entry:

¹ivy

Pronunciation:

\ˈī-vē\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural ivies

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English īfig; akin to Old High German ebah ivy

Date:

before 12th century

1: a widely cultivated ornamental climbing or prostrate or sometimes shrubby chiefly Eurasian vine (Hedera helix) of the ginseng family with evergreen leaves, small yellowish flowers, and black berries2: poison ivy3often capitalized : an Ivy League college

[ivy illustration]