melia
melia Lexical Profile
• noun
Any tree or shrub of the botanical genus Melia, belonging to the mahogany family (Meliaceae), especially the Chinaberry tree, native to Indomalaya and Australasia and noted for its pinnate leaves and clusters of fragrant lilac flowers.
"The landscaper recommended planting a melia in the courtyard for its quick growth and attractive, fragrant blooms."
In ancient Greek mythology, a nymph associated with ash trees, believed to have sprung from the drops of blood that fell on the earth when Uranus was castrated.
"The ancient poet described a beautiful melia stepping forth from the trunk of a great ash tree deep within the sacred grove."
Word Nuance & Usage
When referring to the scientific taxonomic genus, it is capitalized as 'Melia'; when referring to individual plants or mythological nymphs, it is written in lowercase.
• Rhymes for melia
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Late Latin, borrowed from Ancient Greek 'melía' (ash tree), applied by Carl Linnaeus to this genus of trees because their leaves resemble those of the ash.