Olive
/ˈɑːlɪv/noun
The small oval fruit of the olive tree, or the tree itself.
Did you know?The English word ultimately comes from a Mediterranean tree-name that spread through Greek and Latin, and olive oil became sacred in anointing rites across multiple ancient religions.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*elaiw-
“A proposed ancient root connected with the olive/olive oil complex in the Mediterranean, though the exact prehistory is debated.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἐλαία (elaía)
“Olive tree; olive fruit.”
Classical Latin
Latin
olīva
“Olive tree; olive fruit.”
Old French
Old French
olive
“Olive; olive tree.”
Middle English
English
olive
“The olive tree or its fruit.”
Modern English
English
olive
“The fruit of the olive tree, or the tree itself.”