■ noun
1》 a small oval fruit with a hard stone and bitter flesh, green when unripe and bluish black when ripe, used as food and as a source of oil.
2》 (also ~ tree ) the small evergreen tree which produces ~s, native to warm regions of the Old World. [ Olea europaea .]
3》 (also ~ green ) a greyish-green colour.
4》 [as modifier ] (of the complexion) yellowish brown.
5》 a slice of beef or veal made into a roll with stuffing inside and stewed.
6》 (also ~ shell ) a marine mollusc with a smooth, roughly cylindrical shell. [Genus Oliva .]
7》 Anatomy each of a pair of smooth, oval swellings in the medulla oblongata.
8》 a metal ring or fitting tightened under a threaded nut to form a seal.
Origin
ME: via OFr. from L. oliva , from Gk elaia , from elaion 'oil'.