eucalyptus

 
Pronunciation: /ˌjuːkəˈlɪptəs/
(also eucalypt)

noun (plural eucalyptuses or eucalypti /-tʌɪ/)

  • a fast-growing evergreen Australasian tree that has been widely introduced elsewhere. It is valued for its timber, oil, gum, resin, and as an ornamental tree. Also called gum1, gum tree.
    • Genus Eucalyptus, family Myrtaceae: numerous species
  • (also eucalyptus oil) [mass noun] the oil from eucalyptus leaves, chiefly used for its medicinal properties.

Origin:

modern Latin, from Greek eu 'well' + kaluptos 'covered' (from kaluptein 'to cover'), because the unopened flower is protected by a cap