cedar elm

8.2

A medium-sized tree with rough corky bark and drooping branches

noun
/ˈsiːdər ɛlm/

: olmo de cedro

The cedar elm is known for its beautiful, spreading branches that provide ample shade in parks.

Examples

The cedar elm is known for its unique shape.
Gardeners often plant cedar elms for their resistance to drought and urban conditions.
A large cedar elm shaded the old farmhouse, its branches covered with rough corky bark.
The cedar elm thrives in the hot, dry climates of Texas and northern Mexico.
Look at that magnificent cedar elm over there!
In the urban landscape, the cedar elm stands out with its distinctive corky branches and small leaves.
Many homeowners choose the cedar elm for their gardens because it thrives in hot and dry climates.

Synonyms

Ulmus crassifolia

vscedar elm

Specialized

9.9

A type of elm from the southern United States and Mexico with drooping branches and rough ridges like cork

has identical meaning but uses the common name rather than the scientific form

Surface Forms

cedar elm singular

cedar elms plural

Morphology

cedar + elm

This is a straightforward noun–noun compound where 'cedar' modifies 'elm', signalling a type of elm tree with cedar-like association or qualities; an intermediate learner who knows both words can infer it denotes a variety of elm. The modifier+noun compounding pattern is common cross-linguistically, so the basic referential meaning is predictable even if botanical specifics are not known.

Etymology

Cedar elm got its name because people saw this elm often growing near trees called cedar, so they used both words to name it. That's why the name now means a medium-sized 'elm' tree from the southern United States and Mexico.