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 berries
2 : poison ivy
3 often capitalized : an Ivy League college

[ivy illustration]