arborvitae

(är′bər vīt′ē)

noun

Bot. any of several trees or shrubs (genus Thuja) of the cypress family, with flattened sprays of scalelike leaves
Anat. the treelike structure of the white substance in a longitudinal section of the cerebellum

Origin: L, lit., tree of life

Also, esp. for arborvitaesense , arbor vitae

See arborvitae in American Heritage Dictionary 4

also ar·bor vi·tae

noun

a. Any of several North American or eastern Asian evergreen trees or shrubs of the genus Thuja, having flattened branchlets with opposite, scalelike leaves and small cones. They are grown as ornamentals and for timber.
b. Any similar plant of the genus Platycladus or Thujopsis. Also called thuja.
Anatomy The white nerve tissue of the cerebellum, which has a treelike outline in a median section.

Origin:

Origin: From New Latin arbor vītae, tree of life

Origin: : Latin arbor, tree

Origin: + Latin vītae

Origin: , genitive of vīta, life; see vital

(click for a larger image)