from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Clove \Clove\, n. [OE. clow, fr. F. clou nail, clou de girofle a
clove, lit. nail of clove, fr. L. clavus nail, perh. akin to
clavis key, E. clavicle. The clove was so called from its
resemblance to a nail. So in D. kruidnagel clove, lit.
herb-nail or spice-nail. Cf. {Cloy}.]
A very pungent aromatic spice, the unexpanded flower bud of
the clove tree ({Eugenia aromatica} syn. {Caryophullus
aromatica}), a native of the Molucca Isles.
[1913 Webster]
{Clove camphor}. (Chem.) See {Eugenin}.
{Clove gillyflower}, {Clove pink} (Bot.), any fragrant
self-colored carnation.
[1913 Webster]