iva

noun \ ˈīvə , ˈēvə \

Definition of iva

1 capitalized : a small genus of American herbs or shrubs (family Ambrosiaceae) with mostly opposite leaves and small greenish flowers and with the staminate and pistillate both in the same head

2 plural -s : any plant of the genus Iva — see marsh elder 2

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Origin and Etymology of iva

New Latin, from iva (specific epithet of Ajuga iva), probably from French ive ground pine, from Middle French, from Old French yve, from if yew, of Celtic origin; from its similarity in smell; akin to Old High German īwa yew