ivy

 

From Middle English ivi, from Old English īfiġ, from Proto-West Germanic *ibig, *ibag, *ibah, from Proto-Germanic *ibahs (compare West Flemish iefte, Low German Eiloov, Ieloof, German Efeu), from Proto-Indo-European *(h₁)ebʰ- (compare Welsh efwr (“black elder”), Ancient Greek ἴφυον (íphuon, “spike-lavender, Lavandula Spica”)).

• enPR: īʹvē, IPA^(key): /ˈaɪvi/

• Audio (US):

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• Rhymes: -aɪvi

ivy (countable and uncountable, plural ivies)

1. Any of several woody, climbing, or trailing evergreen plants of the genus Hedera.
   • 2023 March 8, “Network News: Pwllheli 'box gets a makeover”, in RAIL, number 978, page 22:

     Hidden timber elements, lintels and roof tiles have also been replaced, in addition to gaining a new paint job and guttering drainage, and the removal of ivy that was damaging the exterior.

2. (by extension) Any similar plant of any genus.

• climber, creeper, liana

• (plants in Hedera): See Hedera.

• kudzu
• vine

•   ivy on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
•   Hedera on Wikispecies.Wikispecies