azadirachta
|a-za-di-rach-ta|
/ˌæzəˈdɪræk.tə/
neem-tree genus (botanical name)
Etymology
'Azadirachta' originates from New Latin (botanical), specifically the word 'Azadirachta', ultimately adapted from Persian vernacular (often cited as 'āzād darakht' or similar), where 'āzād' meant 'free' and 'darakht' meant 'tree'.
'Azadirachta' was Latinized by botanists in the 19th century from local Persian/Arabic names for the neem tree and adopted into scientific New Latin as the genus name 'Azadirachta'.
Initially it referred to a local vernacular name for the neem tree; over time it became the formal botanical genus name 'Azadirachta' used in scientific classification.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a botanical genus of trees in the mahogany family (Meliaceae), native to the Indian subcontinent; includes Azadirachta indica (the neem), noted for medicinal uses and insecticidal properties.
Azadirachta is best known for Azadirachta indica, commonly called the neem tree.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/06 20:02