evergreen

& s. [Eng. ever, and green.] A. As adjective: 1. Lit .: Always green; always retaining its verdure. "The juice, when in greater plenty than can be exhaled by the sun, renders the plant evergreen." -Arbuthnot: On Aliments. 2. Fig.: Always young or fresh. B. As substantive: Bot . & Hort .: A plant "always green," that is, having leaves upon it all the year round. In the generality of cases the leaves last for more than one, but le than two years, falling in spring and autumn, after their succe ors have reached a state of high development. Examples, the Holly and the Laurel. In some instances, one set of leaves lasts for several years. Examples, some Coniferæ.