smilax

[ smahy-laks ]
/ ˈsmaɪ læks /

noun

any plant belonging to the genus Smilax, of the lily family, growing in tropical and temperate zones, consisting mostly of vines having woody stems.
a delicate, twining plant, Asparagus asparagoides, of the lily family, having glossy, bright-green, egg-shaped leaves, cultivated by florists.

Origin of smilax

1595–1605; < Latin smīlax bindweed < Greek smîlax bindweed, yew

Words nearby smilax

smew, smidge, smidgen, smiercase, smilacaceous, smilax, smile, smile on, smiles, smiley, smilodon

Example sentences from the Web for smilax

British Dictionary definitions for smilax

smilax
/ (ˈsmaɪlæks) /

noun

any typically climbing shrub of the smilacaceous genus Smilax, of warm and tropical regions, having slightly lobed leaves, small greenish or yellow flowers, and berry-like fruits: includes the sarsaparilla plant and greenbrier
a fragile, much branched liliaceous vine, Asparagus asparagoides, of southern Africa: cultivated by florists for its glossy bright green foliage

Word Origin for smilax

C17: via Latin from Greek: bindweed