n.
Pronunciation: ' ī -v ē
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural ivies
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English ī fig; akin to Old High German ebah ivy
Date: before 12th century
1 : a widely cultivated ornamental climbing or prostrate or sometimes shrubby chiefly Eurasian vine ( Hedera helix ) of the ginseng family with evergreen leaves, small yellowish flowers, and black berries
2 : POISON IVY
3 often capitalized : an Ivy League college
ivy 1