any tree or shrub of the N temperate genus Euonymus, such as the spindle tree, whose seeds are each enclosed in a fleshy, typically red, aril: family Celastraceae
Word origin
C18: from Latin: spindle tree, from Greek euōnumos fortunately named, from eu- + onomaname
euonymus in American English
(juˈɑnəməs)
noun
any of a genus (Euonymus) of deciduous or evergreen shrubs and woody vines of the staff-tree family, with colorful seeds and pods
Word origin
ModL, used by Linnaeus < L, the spindle tree < Gr euōnymos, lit., of good name, lucky < eu- (see eu-) + onyma, dial. form of onoma, name