ebony-tree

The ebony-tree grows in the tropical forest.

Definition

Noun - A tree producing ebony wood: "ebony-tree" refers to any of several tropical trees of the genus Diospyros, especially Diospyros ebenum, whose dense, dark heartwood is valued for carving and furniture.

Usage Examples

• (A tropical tree known for its valuable wood.)
• (The tree is harvested for its commercial wood.)

Advanced Usage

• "ebony-tree species": a taxonomic category within the genus .
  • Several ebony-tree species are now endangered due to overharvesting. (Specific types of these trees are threatened.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ebony (n): the hard, dark wood from an ebony-tree.
  • The piano keys were made of ebony. (The black keys were crafted from the tree's wood.)
• Ebonize (v): to make something black or dark like ebony.
  • They ebonized the oak table to imitate the look of ebony wood. (They stained it to resemble the tree's timber.)

Synonyms

• Diospyros: the scientific genus name for ebony-trees.
  • Diospyros ebenum is the most famous ebony-tree. (The genus includes all true ebony species.)
• Persimmon tree: a related tree in the same genus, but producing edible fruit rather than commercial ebony.

Related Idioms

• "Black as ebony": extremely dark in color, like the wood of the ebony-tree.
  • Her hair was as black as ebony, shining in the sunlight. (Very dark, resembling the tree's heartwood.)