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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
Archaic an archer's bow of yew

Origin: 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

See yew in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Any of several poisonous evergreen trees or shrubs of the genus Taxus, having scarlet cup-shaped arils and flat needles that are dark green above and yellowish below.
The wood of any of these trees, especially the durable, fine-grained wood of the Old World species Taxus baccata, used in cabinetmaking and for archery bows.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English īw

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