1. <botany> A tree (Olea Europaea) with small oblong or elliptical leaves, axillary clusters of flowers, and oval, one-seeded drupes. The tree has been cultivated for its fruit for thousands of years, and its branches are the emblems of peace. The wood is yellowish brown and beautifully variegated. The fruit of the olive. It has been much improved by cultivation, and is used for making pickles. Olive oil is pressed from its flesh.
Olive is sometimes used adjectively and in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, olive brown, olive green, olive-coloured, olive-skinned, olive crown, olive garden, olive tree, olive yard, etc.
Origin: F, fr. L. Oliva, akin to Gr. See Oil.
(01 Mar 1998)
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