aloe

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   any succulent plant of the genus Aloe, with a rosette of thick pointed leaves

   A tall aloe grew beside the path, its fleshy leaves edged with small teeth.

2. 2
   noun

   the bitter juice or soothing gel obtained from aloe leaves

   She applied aloe to the minor burn on her hand.

3. 3
   noun

   historical, usually plural: a fragrant resin from agarwood trees

   The merchant's chest held spices, myrrh, and aloes from distant ports.

Simplified etymology

Aloe comes from Old English alewe, originally used for the fragrant resin or heartwood of certain Asian trees, and was borrowed through Latin from Greek aloē. Aloe vera appeared in the mid-18th century from modern Latin meaning “true aloe,” probably to distinguish the plant from the similar-looking American agave.

From Old English alwe, reinforced by Old French aloes, from Latin aloē and Greek aloē. The ancient word referred to fragrant aloeswood resin and was probably borrowed from a Semitic language, ultimately perhaps from Tamil akil. It was later transferred to the unrelated succulent plants whose bitter leaf juice was medicinal.

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