I. ˈīvē, -vi noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English īfig; akin to Old High German eba hewi, ebah ivy, and perhaps to Latin ibex (literally, climber), Greek iphyon, a plant
1.
a. : a widely cultivated ornamental climbing or prostrate or sometimes shrubby vine ( Hedera helix ) native to Europe and Asia that has evergreen leaves and small yellowish flowers and black berries and that clings to upright surfaces (as of walls, rocks, trees) by means of numerous aerial roots having tiny adhering disks — called also English ivy
b.
(1) : mountain laurel
(2) : poison ivy
2. : a variable color averaging a dark grayish green that is yellower and duller than Persian green and yellower and paler than hemlock green
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II. adjective
1. : academic 2, 5
the situation has grown so acute that it is no longer confined to the ivy towers but creeps out into open public discussion — Music Educators Journal
2. : ivy league
ivy college boys