I. ˈī-vē noun
( plural ivies )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English īfig; 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
]
II. adjective
Etymology: from the prevalence of ivy-covered buildings on the campuses of older United States colleges
Date: 1933
1. : academic
2. : Ivy League