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Glite Dictionary
Taxus baccata

Taxus baccata

9.6
A long-lived evergreen tree from Europe and western Asia with dark green leaves and red poisonous berries
  • noun
  • /ˈtæksəs ˈbækəˌtɑ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Taxus baccata
  • The Taxus baccata tree can live for over 1,000 years.

Examples

  • The ancient churchyard was dominated by a massive Taxus baccata that had stood there for centuries.

  • Many traditional longbows were crafted from the wood of Taxus baccata due to its strength and flexibility.

  • Botanists are fascinated by the resilience and longevity of Taxus baccata in harsh European climates.

  • Many gardens feature Taxus baccata for its beautiful foliage.

  • Many traditional longbows were crafted from the wood of Taxus baccata due to its strength and flexibility.

  • The ancient churchyard was dominated by a massive Taxus baccata that had stood there for centuries.

  • Many gardens feature Taxus baccata for its beautiful foliage.

Synonyms

English yew
vsTaxus baccata
8.9

An evergreen tree from Europe that grows slowly and can live for a very long time

is the formal scientific name for that same species
Old World yew
vsTaxus baccata
  • UK
8.9

A slow-growing evergreen tree from Europe and parts of Asia that can live for many centuries

is the European and western Asian species with dense foliage and toxic berries

Surface Forms

Taxus baccata singular
Taxus baccatas plural

Morphology

Taxus + baccata

This is a Latin binomial (scientific name) rather than a compositional English phrase; knowing 'Taxus' as a genus label and an undefined Latin epithet does not let a B1 learner derive the full meaning 'European yew, a specific long‑lived conifer with toxic berries'. The species epithet is technical/Latin and the label functions as an arbitrary taxonomic name, so the overall meaning is not predictable from the parts for typical learners.

Etymology

Taxus baccata may come from old words that describe the tree. The first part, Taxus, was an old name for the 'yew' and the second part, baccata, comes from 'bacca' meaning 'berry', so the name literally paints the image of a 'yew with berries', which fits the dark, long-lived European yew with bright red fruit.