buttonwood
Definition
- Noun:
- A very large spreading plane tree of eastern and central North America to Mexico: "Buttonwood" is the common name for a specific species of tree, Platanus occidentalis, also known as the American sycamore. It is characterized by its massive size, broad spreading crown, and distinctive mottled bark that flakes off in patches.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The old buttonwood by the river provided shade for generations.
- Buttonwood is easily identified by its peeling, camouflage-pattern bark.
Advanced Usage
- In historical/economic context: The name "Buttonwood" is famously associated with the Buttonwood Agreement of 1792, signed under a buttonwood tree on Wall Street, which led to the formation of what later became the New York Stock Exchange.
- The financial district's origins are tied to the historic Buttonwood Agreement.
Variants and Related Words
- American sycamore (n): The most common alternative name for the buttonwood tree.
- The American sycamore, or buttonwood, is a common sight in eastern forests.
- Plane tree (n): The general family name () to which the buttonwood belongs.
- London plane trees are a hybrid cousin of the native buttonwood.
Synonyms
- American plane tree: Another formal name for the same species.
- Western plane tree: A less common synonym referencing its geographic range.
Related Terms
- Buttonwood Agreement: A specific historical term derived from the tree's name.
- Sycamore: Often used interchangeably, though true sycamores () are a different species native to the Middle East and Africa. In North American common usage, "sycamore" typically refers to the buttonwood.
Noun
-
very large spreading plane tree of eastern and central North America to Mexico
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