Ash (#), n. [OE. asch, esh, AS. aesc; akin to OHG. asc, Sw. & Dan. ask, Icel. askr, D. esch, G. esche.]
1. Bot.
A genus of trees of the Olive family, having opposite pinnate leaves, many of the species furnishing valuable timber, as the European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and the white ash (F. Americana).
Prickly ash (Zanthoxylum Americanum) and Poison ash (Rhus venenata) are shrubs of different families, somewhat resembling the true ashes in their foliage. -- Mountain ash. See Roman tree, and under Mountain.
2.
The tough, elastic wood of the ash tree.
Ash is used adjectively, or as the first part of a compound term; as, ash bud, ash wood, ash tree, etc.
© Webster 1913.
Ash, n.,
sing. of Ashes.
⇒ Ash is rarely used in the singular except in connection with chemical or geological products; as, soda ash, coal which yields a red ash, etc., or as a qualifying or combining word; as, ash bin, ash heap, ash hole, ash pan, ash pit, ash-grey, ash-colored, pearlash, potash.
Bone ash, burnt powered; bone earth. -- Volcanic ash. See under Ashes.
© Webster 1913.
Ash, v. t.
To strew or sprinkle with ashes.
Howell.
© Webster 1913.