rhus

noun

ˈrüs 

plural rhuses or rhus

: sumac sense 2

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, sumac, from Greek rhous

First Known Use

circa 1611, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

rhus

noun

ˈrüs 

1

capitalized : a genus of shrubs and trees of the cashew family (Anacardiaceae) that are native to temperate and warm regions, have compound trifoliolate or pinnate leaves, and include some (as poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac) producing irritating oils that cause dermatitis see sumac, toxicodendron

2

plural rhuses or rhus : any shrub or tree of the genus Rhus