chaste tree
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Tweet n. Any of several shrubs or trees of the genus Vitex, especially two cultivated species (V. agnus-castus and V. negundo) having aromatic, palmately compound leaves and clusters of usually lilac flowers. [Partial translation of Medieval Latin agnus castus : Greek agnos, chaste tree (of unknown origin, but associated by folk etymology with Greek hagnos, pure, since it was strewn in bedchambers during Greek religious festivals requiring sexual abstinence ) + Latin castus, chaste.] |
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