[ivy] n, pl ivies [ME, fr. OE ifig; akin to OHG ebah ivy] (bef. 12c) 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 cap: an Ivy League college
[2]ivy adj [fr. the prevalence of ivy-covered buildings on the campuses of older U.S. colleges] (1933) 1: academic
2: ivy league