American quaking aspen
- noun
- /əˈmɛrɪkən ˈkweɪkɪŋ ˈæspən/
- US
:
álamo temblón americano
- The leaves of the American quaking aspen flutter even in the gentlest wind.
Examples
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We saw a grove of American quaking aspens shimmering in the autumn sunlight.
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Wildlife often finds shelter among the American quaking aspen trees.
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Look at the American quaking aspen!
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The American quaking aspen is known for its beautiful white bark.
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In the fall, the American quaking aspen trees display vibrant yellow leaves that flutter in the breeze.
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The American quaking aspen stands tall in the forest, its leaves trembling gently with the wind.
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During our hike, we admired the graceful American quaking aspen as its leaves danced in the soft wind.
Synonyms
63
2.7
A tree with pale bark and round leaves that shake in light wind
A thin aspen tree from North America with leaves that shake in the wind
A slender North American tree with smooth pale bark and fluttering leaves
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is fully compositional: 'quaking' (trembling) describes the characteristic movement of the 'aspen' (a tree with fluttering leaves), and 'American' specifies its origin. A B1 learner who knows the three constituent meanings can directly infer this refers to a North American aspen species whose leaves tremble in the breeze, so the expression is transparent.
Etymology
American quaking aspen gets its name from the way its leaves move. The thin, flat leaf stalks make the leaves tremble in the smallest breeze, so quaking means 'shaking' and the name describes the aspen tree whose leaves seem to flutter in any wind.