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Aloe
Definitions
- 1 The resins of the tree Aquilaria malaccensis (syn. Aquilaria agallocha), known for their fragrant aroma, produced after infection by the fungus Phialophora parasitica. in-plural
- 2 succulent plants having rosettes of leaves usually with fiber like hemp and spikes of showy flowers; found chiefly in Africa wordnet
- 3 Any plant of the large and variable genus Aloe.
"1885 Ferdinand von Mueller: Select Extra-tropical Plants, Readily Eligible For Industrial Culture Or Naturalization. pub: Melbourne: J. Ferres Aloe ferox, Miller. South-Africa. This species yields the best Cape-aloes, as observed by Dr. Pappe. The simply inspissated juice of the leaves of the various species of the genus constitutes the aloe-drug. It is best obtained by using neither heat nor pressure for extracting the sap. By re-dissolving the aqueous part of Aloes in cold water, and reducing the liquid through boiling or other processes of exsiccation to dryness, the extract of aloes is prepared. The bitter sap, used for dressing wounds, keeps off flies very effectually. It deserves introduction particularly in veterinary practice."
- 4 Misnomer for any large, vaguely aloe-like plant, such as Agave
"In mercy I put a bullet through his skull, and he fell sprawling among the aloes."
- 5 A strong, bitter drink made from the juice of such plants, used as a purgative.
Etymology
From Old English alwe (“fragrant resin of an East Indian tree”), from Latin aloē, from Ancient Greek ᾰ̓λόη (ălóē), from Hebrew אָהָל (ʾāhāl) or related Aramaic forms, ultimately from Tamil அகில் (akil); reinforced in Middle English by Old French aloes.
See also for "aloe"
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