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Glite Dictionary
Ailanthus

Ailanthus

9.9
A small East Asian tree with many long twisted winged seeds often found in cities
  • noun
  • /eɪˈlænθəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Ailanthus
  • The overgrown weeds form an understory to an audacious group of wild sunflowers and ailanthus trees, which are already licking the second-story windows of the buildings next door.
  • Ailanthus tree

Examples

  • During summer, the scent of ailanthus trees filled the park with their unique fragrance.

  • The city planted several ailanthus trees along the street to improve the urban landscape.

  • In late spring, the ailanthus trees around the neighborhood burst with green leaves and seeds.

Compounds

Ailanthus altissima
  • Specialized
9.0

A fast-growing tree from China with large leaves and smelly flowers

ailanthus silkworm
  • Specialized
9.9

A large bright green caterpillar that eats the leaves of the ailanthus tree and makes silk

Surface Forms

Ailanthus singular
Ailanthuses plural

Etymology

Ailanthus probably comes from a local Southeast Asian name ailanto for this tree, and that name later became linked with the English nickname 'tree of heaven'. So, Ailanthus today brings to mind a tall, tough tree that seems to reach the sky and survives well in cities.