prunus occidentalis

2 definitions found

prunus occidentalis - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Laurel \Lau"rel\, n. [OE. lorel, laurer, lorer, OF. lorier,
     laurier, F. laurier, (assumed) LL. Laurarius, fr. L. laurus.]
     1. (Bot.) An evergreen shrub, of the genus Laurus (Laurus  nobilis
        ), having aromatic leaves of a lanceolate shape,
        with clusters of small, yellowish white flowers in their
        axils; -- called also sweet bay.
  
     Note: The fruit is a purple berry. It is found about the
           Mediterranean, and was early used by the ancient Greeks
           to crown the victor in the games of Apollo. At a later
           period, academic honors were indicated by a crown of
           laurel, with the fruit. The leaves and tree yield an
           aromatic oil, used to flavor the bay water of commerce.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The name is extended to other plants which in some
           respect resemble the true laurel. See Phrases, below.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A crown of laurel; hence, honor; distinction; fame; --
        especially in the plural; as, to win laurels.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. An English gold coin made in 1619, and so called because
        the king's head on it was crowned with laurel.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Laurel water, water distilled from the fresh leaves of the
        cherry laurel, and containing prussic acid and other
        products carried over in the process.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     American laurel, or Mountain laurel, Kalmia latifolia;
        called also calico bush. See under Mountain.
  
     California laurel, Umbellularia Californica.
  
     Cherry laurel (in England called laurel). See under
        Cherry.
  
     Great laurel, the rosebay (Rhododendron maximum).
  
     Ground laurel, trailing arbutus.
  
     New Zealand laurel, the Laurelia Nov[ae] Zelandi[ae].
  
     Portugal laurel, the Prunus Lusitanica.
  
     Rose laurel, the oleander. See Oleander.
  
     Sheep laurel, a poisonous shrub, Kalmia angustifolia,
        smaller than the mountain laurel, and with smaller and
        redder flowers.
  
     Spurge laurel, Daphne Laureola.
  
     West Indian laurel, Prunus occidentalis.
        [1913 Webster]

  Prune \Prune\, n. [F. prune, from L. prunum a plum. See Plum.]
     A plum; esp., a dried plum, used in cookery; as, French or
     Turkish prunes; California prunes.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     German prune (Bot.), a large dark purple plum, of oval
        shape, often one-sided. It is much used for preserving,
        either dried or in sirup.
  
     Prune tree. (Bot.)
     (a) A tree of the genus Prunus (Prunus domestica), which
         produces prunes.
     (b) The West Indian tree, Prunus occidentalis.
  
     South African prune (Bot.), the edible fruit of a
        sapindaceous tree (Pappea Capensis).
        [1913 Webster]