Definition

Noun: A type of large, deciduous tree belonging to the genus Fagus, characterized by smooth gray bark, a broad, rounded crown, and producing small, sweet, triangular nuts enclosed in a prickly husk called a bur. Beech trees are native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

Examples

• The ancient beech tree in the park provided deep, cool shade on hot summer days.
• We collected the fallen nuts from beneath the massive beech tree.
• The forest was primarily composed of oak and beech tree species.

Advanced Usage

• "As smooth as a beech tree's bark": An idiomatic comparison used to describe something very smooth to the touch.
  • The polished marble felt as smooth as a beech tree's bark.

Variants and Related Words

• Beech (n): The more common short form for "beech tree." Also refers to the wood from this tree.
  • The furniture was made of solid beech.
• Beechnut (n): The edible triangular nut produced by a beech tree.
• Beechwood (n): The wood of the beech tree.
• Beechmast (n, chiefly British): The collective term for the nuts of the beech tree lying on the ground.

Synonyms

• Fagus (n): The scientific genus name for beech trees.
• Deciduous tree (n): A general category for trees that shed their leaves annually, which includes beech trees.

Related Phrases

• Copper beech / Purple beech (n): A cultivated variety of the European beech () with distinctive purple or copper-colored leaves.
• American beech (n): A specific species () native to eastern North America.

Noun

1. any of several large deciduous trees with rounded spreading crowns and smooth grey bark and small sweet edible triangular nuts enclosed in burs; north temperate regions