[ eɪ'lanθəs ]
■ noun a tall large-leaved deciduous tree native to Asia and Australasia, especially the tree of heaven. [Genus Ailanthus : several species.]
Origin
mod. L., from Fr. ailante , from Amboinese ailanto , lit. 'tree of heaven' (the ending is influenced by names ending with -anthus , from Gk anthos 'flower').