‖ melia Bot.
(ˈmiːlɪə)
[mod.L. (Linnæus), a. Gr. µελία ash-tree; the leaves of the azedarac resemble those of the ash.]
A genus of trees (typical of the family Meliaceæ), of which the best known species is the azedarac; a tree of this genus.
| 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp., Melia, in botany, the name by which Linnæus calls the azedarach. 1838 Penny Cycl. XI. 73/1 Magnolias, melias, robinias. |
Hence meliˈaceous a., pertaining to the Meliaceæ; ˈmeliad, a plant of this order (Syd. Soc. Lex.); ˈmelial a., in melial alliance, Lindley's name for an alliance embracing this and some other orders.
| 1836 Lindley Nat. Syst. Bot. (ed. 2) 92 The highest alliances in regard to structure are the Malval and Melial. 1846 ― Veg. Kingd. 463 Meliaceæ—Meliads. |