Ilex Aquifolium

Holly Hol"ly (h[o^]l"l[y^]), n. [OE holi, holin, AS. holen, holegn; akin to D. & G. hulst, OHG. huls hulis, W. celyn, Armor. kelen, Gael. cuilionn, Ir. cuileann. Cf. 1st {Holm}, {Hulver}.] 1. (Bot.) A tree or shrub of the genus {Ilex}. The European species ({Ilex Aquifolium}) is best known, having glossy green leaves, with a spiny, waved edge, and bearing berries that turn red or yellow about Michaelmas. [1913 Webster]

Note: The holly is much used to adorn churches and houses, at Christmas time, and hence is associated with scenes of good will and rejoicing. It is an evergreen tree, and has a finegrained, heavy, white wood. Its bark is used as a febrifuge, and the berries are violently purgative and emetic. The American holly is the {Ilex opaca}, and is found along the coast of the United States, from Maine southward. --Gray. [1913 Webster]

2. (Bot.) The holm oak. See 1st {Holm}. [1913 Webster]

{Holly-leaved oak} (Bot.), the black scrub oak. See {Scrub oak}.

{Holly rose} (Bot.), a West Indian shrub, with showy, yellow flowers ({Turnera ulmifolia}).

{Sea holly} (Bot.), a species of Eryngium. See {Eryngium}. [1913 Webster]