euonymus Bot.
(juːˈɒnɪməs)
Also 8 euonymous.
[ad. L. euōnymos (Plin. xiii. xxxviii. §118), subst. use of Gr. εὐώνυµος of good name, lucky, f. εὐ- (see eu-) + ὄνοµα, in æolic ὄνυµα name.
Pliny says that the flowering of the euonymus was a presage of pestilence; hence it seems probable that the name ‘lucky’ was given with euphemistic intention.]
A genus of shrubs (family Celastraceæ), of which many species are now cultivated as ornamental plants. The only British species is the Spindle-tree, otherwise known as the peg-, prick-, skewerwood from the uses to which its wood is applied.
| 1767 J. Abercrombie, Ev. Man his own Gard. (1803) 180 Deciduous flowering shrubs..such as..candleberry, myrtle, dog-wood, or euonymus. a 1775 Sir J. Hill Hist. Plants 239 (Jod.) Euonymous with broad, lanceolated, and serrated leaves, Virginian spindle-tree. 1785 J. M. Mason Notes on Shaks. 349 The euonymus, of which the best skewers are made, is called Prick-wood. 1882 Garden 21 Jan. 37/1 Many varieties of the Euonymus are finely variegated. |
b. U.S. Pharmacopœia. The bark of an American species (E. atropurpureus), called also the Wahoo-tree.
| 1876 Bartholow Mat. Med. (1879) 484 Euonymus possesses cathartic properties similar to rhubarb. |