Magnolia
/mæɡˈnoʊ.li.ə/noun
A flowering tree or shrub known for its large, often fragrant blossoms.
Did you know?The genus Magnolia was named in 1703 by French botanist Charles Plumier to honor Pierre Magnol, and the name entered modern botany through Latinized scientific naming rather than ancient folklore.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*meg-
“big, great”
Latin
Latin
magnus
“great, large”
Late Latin
Latin
Magnolia
“a botanical name formed in honor of Pierre Magnol”
1703
French/Latin
Magnolia
“a genus name coined by Charles Plumier”
Modern English
English
magnolia
“a magnolia tree or shrub”
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