from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Holly \Hol"ly\ (h[o^]l"l[y^]), n. [OE holi, holin, AS. holen,
holegn; akin to D. & G. hulst, OHG. huls hulis, W. celyn,
Armor. kelen, Gael. cuilionn, Ir. cuileann. Cf. 1st {Holm},
{Hulver}.]
1. (Bot.) A tree or shrub of the genus {Ilex}. The European
species ({Ilex Aquifolium}) is best known, having glossy
green leaves, with a spiny, waved edge, and bearing
berries that turn red or yellow about Michaelmas.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The holly is much used to adorn churches and houses, at
Christmas time, and hence is associated with scenes of
good will and rejoicing. It is an evergreen tree, and
has a finegrained, heavy, white wood. Its bark is used
as a febrifuge, and the berries are violently purgative
and emetic. The American holly is the {Ilex opaca}, and
is found along the coast of the United States, from
Maine southward. --Gray.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Bot.) The holm oak. See 1st {Holm}.
[1913 Webster]
{Holly-leaved oak} (Bot.), the black scrub oak. See {Scrub
oak}.
{Holly rose} (Bot.), a West Indian shrub, with showy, yellow
flowers ({Turnera ulmifolia}).
{Sea holly} (Bot.), a species of Eryngium. See {Eryngium}.
[1913 Webster]