Cloves

n. one of a number of small sections which form a compound bulb (as in garlic); type of spice

This article is about the spice; for other meanings see clove (disambiguation). Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum, syn. Eugenia aromaticum or Eugenia caryophyllata) are the aromatic dried flower buds of a tree in the family Myrtaceae. It is native to Indonesia and used as a spice in cuisine all over the world. The name derives from French clou, a nail, as the buds vaguely resemble small irregular nails in shape. Cloves are harvested primarily in Zanzibar, Indonesia and Madagascar; it is also grown in Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka.
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Cloves, n.pl Latin names: Syzygium aromaticum, Eugenia caryophyllata, Caryophyllus aromaticus; part used: buds ; uses: essential oil, antiseptic, [more]Cloves - Community and Resources

Noun
1. aromatic flower bud of a clove tree; yields a spice
(hypernym) flower bud
(part-holonym) clove tree, Syzygium aromaticum, Eugenia aromaticum, Eugenia caryophyllatum
2. moderate sized very symmetrical red-flowered evergreen widely cultivated in the tropics for its flower buds which are source of cloves
(synonym) clove tree, Syzygium aromaticum, Eugenia aromaticum, Eugenia caryophyllatum
(hypernym) spice tree
(member-holonym) Syzygium, genus Syzygium
3. one of the small bulblets that can be split off of the axis of a larger garlic bulb
(synonym) garlic clove
(hypernym) garlic, ail
4. spice from dried unopened flower bud of the clove tree; used whole or ground
(hypernym) spice

The brown, hard dried flower buds of an aromatic Southeast Asian evergreen. They are useful in both whole and ground forms. Ground, they are used in cakes and soups. Whole, they add great flavor to mulled wines and ciders. Cloves also have natural preservative qualities.