azedarac Bot.
(əˈzɛdəræk)
Also 8–9 -ach.
[a. F. azédarac, Sp. acedaraque, a. Pers. āzād dirakht ‘free (or noble) tree.’ The tree and name were probably introduced into Spain and Sicily by the Arabs.]
1. A lofty tree (Melia Azedarach), with bipinnate leaves and large bunches of fragrant lilac-coloured flowers, a native of the East Indies, but now common in Spain, Southern France, and South America. Also known as Bead-tree, Pride of India, False Sycamore, and Holy-tree.
| 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp., Azedarach..the Bead-tree. 1852 Th. Ross Humboldt's Trav. II. xvi. 3 Paths bordered with azedaracs. 1878 Masque of Poets 30 Where clear-green chrysoberyl glows Beside azedarac in rows. |
2. Pharm. The bark of the root of this tree used in medicine.
| 1853 in Mayne. |