OLIVE BRANCH • FREE-TRANSLATOR.COM • Definition of Olive branch

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/ˈɑləv bræntʃ/ Listen

noun

Olive n.

1.

(Bot.)

(a)

A tree (Olea Europaea) with small oblong or elliptical leaves, axillary clusters of flowers, and oval, one-seeded drupes. The tree has been cultivated for its fruit for thousands of years, and its branches are the emblems of peace. The wood is yellowish brown and beautifully variegated.

(b)

The fruit of the olive. It has been much improved by cultivation, and is used for making pickles. Olive oil is pressed from its flesh.

2.

(Zool.)

(a)

Any shell of the genus Oliva and allied genera; so called from the form. See Oliva.

(b)

The oyster catcher. (Prov. Eng.)

3.

(a)

The color of the olive, a peculiar dark brownish, yellowish, or tawny green.

(b)

One of the tertiary colors, composed of violet and green mixed in equal strength and proportion.

4.

(Anat.) An olivary body. See under Olivary.

5.

(Cookery) A small slice of meat seasoned, rolled up, and cooked; as, olives of beef or veal. Note: Olive is sometimes used adjectively and in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, olive brown, olive green, olive-colored, olive-skinned, olive crown, olive garden, olive tree, olive yard, etc.

Bohemian olive (Bot.), a species of Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus angustifolia), the flowers of which are sometimes used in Southern Europe as a remedy for fevers.

Olive branch.

(a)

A branch of the olive tree, considered an emblem of peace.

(b)

(Fig.) A child.

to hold out an olive branch, to offer to make peace (with a rival or enemy).

Olive brown, brown with a tinge of green.

Olive green, a dark brownish green, like the color of the olive.

Olive oil, an oil expressed from the ripe fruit of the olive, and much used as a salad oil, also in medicine and the arts.

Olive ore (Min.), olivenite.

Wild olive (Bot.), a name given to the oleaster or wild stock of the olive; also variously to several trees more or less resembling the olive.

See images of 'Olive branch'

Etymology of 'Olive branch'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Olive branch" Quotes from Famous Books

... are two hearts, a small scroll of gold over them, and an imperial crown over the scroll; on the other hand, in the shield, are two quivers full of arrows saltyre, &c.; upon each basis stands a figure bigger than the life; one represents Peace, with a palm in one, and an olive branch in the other hand; the other Plenty, holding a cornucopia, and resting on a pillar. Behind these figures are large columns of the Corinthian order, adorned with fruit and flowers: over one of the figures on the trees is the king's cypher; over ...

— The Works Of John Dryden, Vol. 7 (of 18) - The Duke of Guise; Albion and Albanius; Don Sebastian • John Dryden

... in the air over the head of Proserpine and her attendant, and then dropping an olive branch into the lap of the Queen, flapped its wings and whirled away. But what an olive branch! the stem was of agate; each leaf was an emerald; and on the largest, in letters of brilliants, ...

— The Infernal Marriage • Benjamin Disraeli

... father brought with him along The olive branch and victor's song: He slew the Ammonites, we know, But to thy woe; And, in the purchase of our peace, The cure ...

— Specimens with Memoirs of the Less-known British Poets, Complete • George Gilfillan

... shall manifest a like disposition. The existing war has been rendered necessary by the acts of Mexico, and whenever that power shall be ready to do us justice we shall be prepared to sheath the sword and tender to her the olive branch ...

— A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents: Polk - Section 3 (of 3) of Volume 4: James Knox Polk • Compiled by James D. Richardson

... minded at first to address a sharp remonstrance and claim for indemnity to some pundit in authority; but perceiving that by such fishing in troubled waters I was the gainer of a golden-headed umbrella, fresh as a rose, I decided to accept the olive branch and bury the bone ...

— Baboo Jabberjee, B.A. • F. Anstey

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