/ˈɒ.lɪv/, /ˈɑ.lɪv/
OriginFrom Middle English olyve, from Old French olive (“olive, olive tree”), from Latin olīva (“olive”), itself either from Etruscan *𐌄𐌋𐌄𐌉𐌅𐌀 (*eleiva), Pre-Classical Greek *ἐλαίϝα (*elaíwa) (compare Mycenaean Greek 𐀁𐀨𐀷 (e-ra-wa), Ancient Greek ἐλαία (elaía)), or the same source as those two. In any case, ultimately from a Mediterranean Pre-Greek source, possibly Proto-Berber *wlw (“wild olive”). More questionably, maybe from Proto-Indo-European *loiwom (compare Old Church Slavonic лои (loi, “tallow”), Old Armenian եւղ (ewł, “oil”)). Doublet of oliva. Displaced native Old English eleberġe, literally "oil berry."
- A tree of species Olea europaea cultivated since ancient times in the Mediterranean for its fruit and the oil obtained from it.
- The small oval fruit of this tree, eaten ripe (usually black) or unripe (usually green).
“Trevor, like an Aussie outbacker, eats snacks and a pickup meal of bread, cantaloupe, olives, mangoes, and melon.”
- The wood of the olive tree.
- A dark yellowish-green color, that of an unripe olive.
- An olivary body, part of the medulla oblongata.
- A component of a plumbing compression joint; a ring which is placed between the nut and the pipe and compressed during fastening to provide a seal.
- A small slice of meat seasoned, rolled up, and cooked.
“a beef olive”
“olives of veal”
- Any shell of the genus Oliva and allied genera; so called from the shape.
- UK, dialectalAn oystercatcher, a shore bird of genus Haematopus.
- Of a grayish green color, that of an unripe olive.
“Appleby[…]rose from his seat when Morales came in. He shook hands urbanely, unbuckled his sword, and laid his kepi on the table, and then sat down with an expression of concern in his olive face which”
“The “little green men”—faces covered, wearing unmarked olive uniforms, speaking Russian and using Russian weapons—have played a significant role in both the occupation of Crimea and the civil war in e”
- A female given name from English.
“And hear me swear a solemn oath, / That only by thy side / Will I to Olive plight my troth, / And gain her for my bride.”
“"Elspie, I have a thought! The baby shall be christened Olive!"
"It's a strange, heathen name, Mrs. Rothesay."
"Not at all. Listen how I chanced to think of it. This very morning, just before you came”
“There was Olive, a soft drowsy girl who didn't like me because I called her Olive Oyl. Even after I was made to apologize she didn't like me.”
- A surname.
- rareA male given name from English.
- A community in the city of Orange, Orange County, California.
- A township and unincorporated community therein, in St. Joseph County, Indiana.
- An unincorporated community in Dallas County, Missouri, named after a Baptist church.
- An unincorporated community in Powder River County, Montana.
- A town in Ulster County, New York, from the bible story of dove and olive branch.
- An unincorporated community in Creek County, Oklahoma, from the girl's name.
- An unincorporated community in Spotsylvania County, Virginia.
- An unincorporated community in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.
- A number of townships in the United States, listed under Olive Township.
Formsolives(plural) · more olive(comparative) · most olive(superlative)