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yew definition

yew (yo̵̅o̅)

noun

    1. any of a genus (Taxus) of evergreen shrubs and trees of the yew family, having red, cuplike, waxy cones containing a single seed, broad, flattened leaves that are needles, and fine-grained, elastic wood
    2. the wood, used esp. for making archers' bows
  2. Archaic an archer's bow of yew

Etymology: ME ew < OE iw, eow, akin to Ger eibe (OHG iwa) < IE *(e)iwā- < base *ei-, reddish > L uva, grape: orig. name because of color of the wood

adjective

designating a family (Taxaceae) of resinous evergreen conifers with needlelike leaves, including ground hemlock

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