azedarach
|a-ze-da-rach|
🇺🇸
/ˌæzəˈdræk/
🇬🇧
/ˌæzɪˈdræk/
a tree (chinaberry)
Etymology
'azedarach' originates from Persian, specifically the word 'āzād-darakht', where 'āzād' meant 'free; noble' and 'darakht' meant 'tree'.
'āzād-darakht' passed into European languages (via French 'azédarac'), was Latinized in botanical usage as 'azedarach', and entered modern English as the name for Melia azedarach.
Initially it meant 'a free/noble tree' in Persian, but over time it became specialized as the botanical name for the species Melia azedarach.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a deciduous tree (Melia azedarach) of the mahogany family, native to parts of Asia and Australasia, noted for clusters of lilac flowers and small yellow berry-like drupes; commonly called chinaberry or Persian lilac.
An old azedarach cast dappled shade across the courtyard in summer.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/06 23:32