01 n. A plant of the genus Hedera (Hedera helix), common in Europe. Its leaves are evergreen, dark, smooth, shining, and mostly five-pointed; th…
pl.
Ivies ((#))
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1.
A plant of the genus Hedera (Hedera helix), common in Europe. Its leaves are evergreen, dark, smooth, shining, and mostly five-pointed; the flowers yellowish and small; the berries black or yellow. The stem clings to walls and trees by rootlike fibers.(Bot.)“Direct The clasping ivy where to climb.” — Milton.“Ye myrtles brown, with ivy never sere.” — Milton.
Phrases & compounds
American ivy —
See Virginia creeper.
English ivy —
a popular name in America for the ivy proper (Hedera helix).
German ivy —
a creeping plant, with smooth, succulent stems, and fleshy, light-green leaves; a species of Senecio (Senecio scandens).
Ground ivy —
Gill (Nepeta Glechoma).
Ivy owl —
the barn owl.
Ivy tod —
the ivy plant.
Japanese ivy —
a climbing plant (Ampelopsis tricuspidata), closely related to the Virginia creeper.
Poison ivy —
an American woody creeper (Rhus Toxicodendron), with trifoliate leaves, and greenish-white berries. It is exceedingly poisonous to the touch for most persons.
To pipe in an ivy leaf —
to console one's self as best one can.
West Indian ivy —
a climbing plant of the genus Marcgravia.