n. A poisonous Eurasian evergreen shrub (Nerium oleander) with narrow leathery leaves, widely cultivated for its showy fragrant white, rose, or purple flowers. Also called rosebay. [Medieval Latin, probably alteration (influenced by Latin olea, olive) of Late Latin lorandrum, rhododendron, alteration (probably influenced by Latin laurea, lōrea, laurel, because of its similar-shaped leaves) of Late Latin rodandrum, from Latin rhododendron; see RHODODENDRON.] |
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