Definition

Noun: 1. The durable, aromatic wood of a cedar tree: This refers to the timber obtained from various species of trees commonly called cedars, known for its hardness, pleasant scent, and resistance to decay and insects. 2. Specifically, the wood of the red cedar: Often used to denote the wood from trees like the Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana), which is particularly valued for its use in storage chests and closets.

Usage and Examples

• General Use: Refers to the wood material itself.
  • The cabinet was crafted from fine, fragrant cedarwood.
  • They lined the closet with cedarwood panels to repel moths.
• Specific Use (Red Cedar): Often implies use in storage furniture.
  • Her grandmother's cedarwood chest still smells fresh after decades.

Advanced Usage

• As a Modifier: "Cedarwood" is frequently used attributively (like an adjective) to describe other nouns, indicating the material something is made from.
  • a cedarwood cigar box
  • cedarwood essential oil

Variants and Related Words

• Cedar (noun): The primary word for the tree itself. "Cedarwood" specifies the product (wood) from the cedar tree.
  • We sat under a large cedar. / The chest is made of cedarwood.
• Cedrine (adjective, rare): Pertaining to or resembling cedar.

Synonyms

• Cedar: (Note: While often used interchangeably, "cedar" can refer to the tree or the wood, whereas "cedarwood" unambiguously refers to the timber.)
• Aromatic wood: A general descriptive term.
• Juniper wood: (Specifically for wood from trees in the genus, which includes the Eastern Red Cedar.)

Related Phrases and Compounds

• Cedarwood oil: An essential oil distilled from the wood, used in aromatherapy and perfumery.
• Cedarwood chest: A classic storage chest made from cedarwood, designed to protect contents from moths.

Noun

1. durable aromatic wood of any of numerous cedar trees; especially wood of the red cedar often used for cedar chests