aquifoliaceous
|æk-wɪ-fə-leɪ-ʃəs|
/ˌæk.wɪ.fəˈleɪ.ʃəs/
holly-like
Etymology
'aquifoliaceous' originates from New Latin and ultimately from Latin, specifically the word 'aquifolium', where 'aqu-' (possibly from Latin 'acus') meant 'needle' or 'sharp' and 'folium' meant 'leaf'.
'aquifoliaceous' changed from botanical Latin forms such as 'aquifoliaceus' (used to describe plants of the holly family, e.g. 'Ilex aquifolium') and entered English via New/Modern Latin by adding the adjectival suffix '-aceous'.
Initially it referred specifically to 'of or pertaining to Ilex aquifolium' (literally 'sharp- or needle-leaved'), but over time it evolved into the broader English sense 'resembling or characteristic of holly.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
resembling or characteristic of holly (plants of the genus Ilex); having holly-like leaves, especially spiny, leathery, or glossy leaves.
The shrub had aquifoliaceous leaves that were glossy and spiny along the margins.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/30 04:58