oleander

What it means

1. countableuncountableNerium oleander, a notoriously poisonous shrub in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, but nonetheless widely grown as an ornamental, having leathery lance-shaped leaves and deep rose-colored or white flowers.

   "Cut a small branch of oleander from a thrifty plant, place it in a vial partly filled with rain water, so that the lower end of the branch may be immersed about half an inch in the water.

   1847, editorial staff, “Experiment With a Plant”, in Scientific American, series 1, Volume 3, Issue 10, page 80

   Synonyms: laurel rose, rose laurel, rosebay

In a sentence

"Cut a small branch of oleander from a thrifty plant, place it in a vial partly filled with rain water, so that the lower end of the branch may be immersed about half an inch in the water.

1847, editorial staff, “Experiment With a Plant”, in Scientific American, series 1, Volume 3, Issue 10, page 80

Where it comes from

1. Late Latinlorandrum
2. Medieval Latinoleandru
3. Frencholéandre
4. Englisholeander

From French oléandre, from Medieval Latin oleandru, from Late Latin lorandrum, perhaps an alteration of rhododendron.