Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of tree or shrub: A maple is any of numerous trees or shrubs belonging to the genus Acer, characterized by having opposite, usually lobed leaves and producing paired, winged seeds. They are primarily found in the north temperate zone.
   • The wood from such a tree: Maple refers to the wood, especially the hard, close-grained wood from species like the sugar maple, which is valued for furniture and flooring.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (referring to the tree):
  • The sugar maple is famous for its sweet sap.
  • We have a large maple in our backyard that turns bright red in the fall.
• Noun (referring to the wood):
  • The kitchen table is made of solid maple.
  • Maple is a popular choice for hardwood floors because of its durability.

Advanced Usage

• "To be in the maple(s)": To be among maple trees. (This is a descriptive phrase, not a common idiom).
  • Their cabin is deep in the maples, very secluded.
• "Maple" as an attributive noun: Used before another noun to describe a characteristic.
  • We enjoyed the maple syrup on our pancakes. (Here, 'maple' describes the source of the syrup).
  • The room had beautiful maple cabinetry.

Variants and Related Words

• Maple syrup (n): A sweet syrup made by boiling the sap of certain maple trees, especially the sugar maple.
  • Vermont is famous for its production of maple syrup.
• Maple leaf (n): The characteristic leaf of a maple tree, a national symbol of Canada.
  • The Canadian flag features a red maple leaf.
• Maple sugar (n): Sugar made by evaporating maple syrup.
  • The candy was flavored with maple sugar.

Synonyms

• Acer: The scientific genus name for maple trees.
• Hard maple: A term often used for the wood of the sugar maple or black maple, known for its hardness.

Related Phrases

(Note: 'Maple' itself does not form standard phrasal verbs. The following are common collocations.) - Tap a maple: To extract sap from a maple tree. - They tap the maples every early spring to collect sap. - Plant a maple: To put a maple tree into the ground to grow. - We planted a maple to commemorate the occasion.

Related Idioms

• As Canadian as maple syrup: Used to describe something quintessentially Canadian.
  • His polite demeanor is as Canadian as maple syrup. (Note: There are very few idioms directly using the word "maple" alone; it is most commonly found in compound nouns and descriptive phrases.)

Noun

1. any of numerous trees or shrubs of the genus Acer bearing winged seeds in pairs; north temperate zone
2. wood of any of various maple trees; especially the hard close-grained wood of the sugar maple; used especially for furniture and flooring