Ornus
/ˈɔːrnəs/noun
A flowering ash tree, especially Fraxinus ornus, native to southern Europe and western Asia.
Did you know?The flowering ash produces a sugary exudate called manna, historically collected as a mild laxative and associated with the biblical food described as manna.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ὄρνη (ornē)
“A type of ash tree”
Classical Latin
Latin
ornus
“Flowering ash or manna ash”
16th Century
Botanical Latin
Ornus
“A taxonomic name for the flowering ash group”
18th Century
New Latin
Fraxinus ornus
“The scientific name for the flowering ash”
Modern English
English
ornus
“The flowering ash, especially Fraxinus ornus”
Explore more surprising origins