rhus

noun

plural rhuses or rhus

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, sumac, from Greek rhous

First Known Use

circa 1611, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rhus was circa 1611

Dictionary Entries Near rhus

Cite this Entry

“Rhus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rhus. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

rhus

noun
1
capitalized : a genus of shrubs and trees of the cashew family (Anacardiaceae) that are native to temperate and warm regions, have compound trifoliolate or pinnate leaves, and include some (as poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac) producing irritating oils that cause dermatitis see sumac, toxicodendron
2
plural rhuses or rhus : any shrub or tree of the genus Rhus
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!