aloe

noun

• 1a succulent plant, typically having a rosette of toothed fleshy leaves and bell-shaped or tubular flowers on long stems. Native to the Old World tropics, several species are cultivated commercially or as ornamentals.

  • Genus Aloe, family Liliaceae (or Aloaceae)
• (aloes or bitter aloes) a strong laxative obtained from the bitter juice of various kinds of aloe.
• (also American aloe)another term for century plant.

• 2 (aloes) (also aloeswood) the fragrant heartwood of a tropical Asian tree.

  • The wood is obtained from two trees of the genus Aquilaria, family Thymelaeaceae, especially A. agallocha
• the resin obtained from aloeswood, used in perfume, incense, and medicine.