I. ˈä-liv, -ləv noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin oliva, from Greek elaia
Date: 13th century
1.
a. : a Mediterranean evergreen tree ( Olea europaea of the family Oleaceae, the olive family) cultivated for its drupaceous fruit that is an important food and source of oil ; also : the fruit
b. : any of various shrubs and trees resembling the olive
2. : any of several colors resembling that of the unripe fruit of the olive tree that are yellowish green
3. : an oval eminence on each ventrolateral aspect of the medulla oblongata
II. adjective
Date: 1657
1. : of the color olive or olive green
2. : approaching olive in color or complexion