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beech
(bēc̸h)
adjective
designating a family (Fagaceae, order Fagales) of dicotyledonous trees, including the oaks and chestnuts
Origin: ME beche < OE boece, bece: see book
noun
- any of a genus (Fagus) of trees of the beech family, with smooth, gray bark, hard wood, dark-green leaves, and edible three-cornered nuts
- the wood of the trees of this genus
Related Forms:
- beechen adjective
See beech in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- a. A deciduous tree of the genus Fagus having smooth gray bark, alternate simple leaves, and three-angled nuts enclosed in prickly burs. The best-known species are F. grandifolia of eastern North America and the European species F. sylvatica and its numerous cultivated forms.b. The wood of any of these trees, used for flooring, containers, plywood, and tool handles.
- Any of several other woody plants, as in the genera Carpinus and Nothofagus.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English beche
Origin: , from Old English bēce; see bhāgo- in Indo-European roots
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beech
American beech
Fagus grandifolia
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