olive English · revision 8012

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1200|origins=grc ἐλαία}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈɒ.lɪv/, /ˈɑ.lɪv/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fro|olive|t=olive, olive tree]] or directly Latin [[m|la|oliva|alt=olīva]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) from Greek *elaíwā, a dialect form of [[m|grc|ἐλαία|tr=elaía|t=olive tree, olive]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) related to élaion, oil (see [[oil]]),^(Hoad 1986)^(Cresswell 2021) probably from an Aegean source, perhaps Cretan, like Armenian ewł, oil.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The olive tree: about 1200.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The fruit is from 1398 (the late 14th century).^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) The ''olive branch'', a branch of the tree, is from before 1325, in the ''Cursor Mundi'', and as a token of peace or goodwill from before 1338,^(Barnhart 1988) alluding to the olive leaf the dove brought back to Noah's ark.^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021) Word Origins also notes olive crowns given to winners at the Greek Olympic Games, and olive garlands worn by brides.^(Cresswell 2021) A child is a sense of 1803.^(OED 1989) The colour of the unripe olive is from the 17th century, and the adjective, yellowish-green, from 1657.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) ''Olive oil'' is from the 1540s in Etymonline and 1774 in Barnhart, replacing ''oil of olive''.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1200 – the tree.^(Etymonline)

+ * before 1338 – olive branch as a peace token.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1398 – the fruit.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1540s – olive oil.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1657 – olive green.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An evergreen tree of the Mediterranean (Olea europaea) with leathery leaves and small oval [[fruit]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The fruit of this tree, eaten as food and pressed for [[oil]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A yellowish-green colour.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The wood of the olive tree.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of a yellowish-green colour.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[olivaceous]]

+ * [[black olive]]

+ * [[olive-backed thrush]]

+ * [[olive branch]]

+ * [[olive drab]]

+ * [[olive green]]

+ * [[olive oil]]

+ * [[queen olive]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[oil]]

+ * [[oleaster]]

+ * [[olivewood]]

+ * [[olivine]]

+ * [[oleaginous]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ In Essex dialect an olive was the oyster-catcher.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}