black locust
- noun
- /blæk ˈloʊkəst/
- US
:
robinia
- The black locust tree is known for its fragrant white flowers that attract pollinators.
- black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)
Examples
-
Cherokee bow makers had traditionally used black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) for bows in the Southeast.
Academic text (2011) -
In 1991, Feldhake planted neat rows of black locust trees in a pasture and let sheep and goats graze there periodically.
Academic text (2005) -
Many farmers plant black locust trees because they grow quickly and provide excellent shade.
-
In our park, the black locust provides a beautiful canopy during the summer months.
Synonyms
3
4.6
A strong tree with very hard wood used for fence posts
1
5.5
A hardwood tree with compound leaves and very strong wood
A large thorny tree from eastern North America with fragrant white flowers
A large tree with thorns, many small leaves on each branch, and hanging white flowers
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'black' (color) + 'locust' (a tree species or its wood) denotes the wood or tree called the black locust. This follows a common color+noun descriptive pattern found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should be able to infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Black locust may come from early European settlers who thought the tree's long seed pods looked like the European 'locust bean', so they used locust and added black for the tree's dark bark. That's why black locust means this particular tree.