Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
aloe
al′oe
(ăl′nō̍)
, Noun.
pl.
Aloes
(ăl′ōz)
. [L.
aloë
, Gr. ἀλόη
, aloe: cf. OF. aloe
, F. aloès
.] 1.
pl.
The wood of the agalloch.
[Obs.]
Wyclif.
2.
(Bot.)
[capitalized]
A genus of succulent plants, some classed as trees, others as shrubs, but the greater number having the habit and appearance of evergreen herbaceous plants; from some of which are prepared articles for medicine and the arts. They are natives of warm countries.
3.
pl.
(Med.)
The inspissated juice of several species of aloe, used as a purgative.
[Plural in form but syntactically singular.]
AS
American aloe
, Century aloe
the agave. See
Agave
.Webster 1828 Edition
Aloe
AL'OE
,Noun.
plu.
In botany, a genus of monogynian hexanders, of many species; all natives of warm climates, and most of them, of the southern part of Africa.
Among the Mohammedans, the aloe is a symbolic plant, especially in Egypt; and every one who returns from a pilgrimage to Mecca, hangs it over his street door, as a token that he has performed the journey.
In Africa, the leaves of the Guinea aloe are made into durable ropes. Of one species are made fishing lines, bow strings, stockings and hammocs. The leaves of another species hole rain water.