tree

tree
tree (n.) O.E. treo, treow "tree" (also "wood"), from P.Gmc. *trewan (Cf. O.Fris. tre, O.S. trio, O.N. tre, Goth. triu), from PIE *deru- "oak" (Cf. Skt. dru "tree, wood," daru "wood, log;" Gk. drys "oak," doru "spear;" O.C.S. drievo "tree, wood;" Serb. drvo "tree," drva "wood;" Rus. drevo "tree, wood;" Czech drva; Pol. drwa "wood;" Lith. derva "pine wood;" O.Ir. daur, Welsh derwen "oak," Albanian drusk "oak").
Importance of the oak in mythology is reflected in the recurring use of words for "oak" to mean "tree." In Old English and Middle English, also "thing made of wood," especially the cross of the Crucifixion and a gallows (Cf. Tyburn tree, gallows mentioned 12c. at Tyburn, at junction of Oxford Street and Edgware Road, place of public execution for Middlesex until 1783). Sense in family tree first attested 1706; verb meaning "to chase up a tree" is from 1700. Tree-hugger, contemptuous for "environmentalist" is attested by 1989.
Minc'd Pyes do not grow upon every tree,
But search the Ovens for them, and there they be.
["Poor Robin," Almanack, 1669]

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Tree — /tree/, n. Sir Herbert Beerbohm /bear bohm/, (Herbert Beerbohm), 1853 1917, English actor and theater manager; brother of Max Beerbohm. * * * I Woody perennial plant. Most trees have a single self supporting trunk containing woody tissues, and in …   Universalium

  • Tree — (tr[=e]), n. [OE. tree, tre, treo, AS. tre[ o], tre[ o]w, tree, wood; akin to OFries. tr[=e], OS. treo, trio, Icel. tr[=e], Dan. tr[ae], Sw. tr[ a], tr[ a]d, Goth. triu, Russ. drevo, W. derw an oak, Ir. darag, darog, Gr. dry^s a tree, oak, do ry… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • tree — W1S1 [tri:] n ↑branch, ↑leaves, ↑trunk [: Old English; Origin: treow] 1.) a very tall plant that has branches and leaves, and lives for many years ▪ As a kid, I loved to climb trees. a cherry/peach/apple etc tree ▪ …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • tree — [trē] n. [ME < OE trēow, akin to Goth triu, ON trē < IE base * deru , tree, prob. orig. oak tree > Gr drys, oak, ( den)dron, tree] 1. a woody perennial plant with one main stem or trunk which develops many branches, usually at some… …   English World dictionary

  • Tree — Tree, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Treed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Treeing}.] 1. To drive to a tree; to cause to ascend a tree; as, a dog trees a squirrel. J. Burroughs. [1913 Webster] 2. To place upon a tree; to fit with a tree; to stretch upon a tree; as, to… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Tree — Pour une définition du mot « tree », voir l’article tree du Wiktionnaire. Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom. tree est une commande Unix permettant d afficher l …   Wikipédia en Français

  • tree — [ tri ] noun count *** 1. ) a very tall plant that has deep roots, a thick stem made of wood, and many branches: As a child, Jed loved to climb trees. a maple/pine/olive tree a shade/pear/fruit tree 2. ) an object with separate parts for hanging… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • Tree — ist der Name folgender Personen: Herbert Beerbohm Tree (1853–1917), englischer Theaterschauspieler Iris Tree (1897–1968), britische Dichterin, Malerin und Schauspielerin Die Abkürzung TREE steht für: Transient Radiation Effects on Electronics,… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

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  • tree — ► NOUN 1) a woody perennial plant, typically with a single stem or trunk growing to a considerable height and bearing lateral branches. 2) a wooden structure or part of a structure. 3) (also tree diagram) a diagram with a structure of branching… …   English terms dictionary

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