1.  holly(n = noun.plant) - any tree or shrub of the genus Ilex having red berries and shiny evergreen leaves with prickly edges;
is a kind of angiospermous tree, flowering tree
is a member of genus ilex, ilex
has particulars: bearberry, ilex decidua, possum haw, winterberry, evergreen winterberry, gall-berry, gallberry, ilex glabra, inkberry, ilex paraguariensis, mate, paraguay tea, american holly, christmas holly, low gallberry holly, tall gallberry holly, yaupon holly, deciduous holly, juneberry holly, largeleaf holly, geogia holly, common winterberry holly, smooth winterberry holly

2.  holly(n = noun.person) buddy holly, charles hardin holley - United States rock star (1936-1959);
is a kind of rock star, ballad maker, songster, songwriter

   Wholly. Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

1.  A tree or shrub of the genus Ilex. The European species (Ilex Aquifolium) is best known, having glossy green leaves, with a spiny, waved edge, and bearing berries that turn red or yellow about Michaelmas. [1913 Webster]
" The holly is much used to adorn churches and houses, at Christmas time, and hence is associated with scenes of good will and rejoicing. It is an evergreen tree, and has a finegrained, heavy, white wood. Its bark is used as a febrifuge, and the berries are violently purgative and emetic. The American holly is the Ilex opaca, and is found along the coast of the United States, from Maine southward." Gray. [1913 Webster]

2.  The holm oak. See 1st Holm. [1913 Webster]

holly, n. (pl. -ies)
1 an evergreen shrub, Ilex aquifolium, with prickly usu. dark-green leaves, small white flowers, and red berries.
2 its branches and foliage used as decorations at Christmas.

Idiom:
holly oak a holm-oak.

Etymology:
OE hole(g)n

african holly, american holly, arthur holly compton, braun's holly fern, buddy holly, chinese holly, christmas holly, common winterberry holly, deciduous holly, desert holly, geogia holly, holly family, holly fern, juneberry holly, largeleaf holly, low gallberry holly, native holly, northern holly fern, oregon holly grape, sea holly, smooth winterberry holly, tall gallberry holly, western holly fern, yaupon holly