eucalyptus
noun /ˌjuːkəˈlɪptəs/
/ˌjuːkəˈlɪptəs/
[countable, uncountable] (plural eucalyptuses, eucalypti
/ˌjuːkəˈlɪptaɪ/
/ˌjuːkəˈlɪptaɪ/
)(also eucalyptus tree, gum tree)
- a tall straight tree with leaves that produce an oil with a strong smell, that is used in medicine. There are several types of eucalyptus and they grow especially in Australasia.
enlarge image- Koalas eat very few things besides eucalyptus leaves.
Word Originmodern Latin, from Greek eu ‘well’ + kaluptos ‘covered’ (from kaluptein ‘to cover’), because the unopened flower is protected by a cap.
