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Glite Dictionary
dwarf elder

dwarf elder

9.4
A small wild plant with strong-smelling white flowers and black berries used in medicine
  • noun
  • /dwɔrf ˈɛldər/
  • UK
translation icon : saúco enano
  • Many herbalists use dwarf elder for its medicinal properties.

Examples

  • The berries of the dwarf elder can turn a deep, striking black by late summer.

  • The dwarf elder has beautiful white flowers in spring.

  • Some herbalists use dwarf elder bark in traditional medicine.

  • We spotted a stand of dwarf elder growing wild at the forest edge.

  • Some herbalists use the bark of dwarf elder in traditional medicine.

  • The leaves of the dwarf elder plant are known for their strong aroma.

  • We spotted a patch of dwarf elder growing wild near the riverbank.

Synonyms

Sambucus ebulus
vsdwarf elder
  • UK
9.9

A small European plant with pink flowers and a bad smell

is found in Europe and North America, not only in Europe
danewort
vsdwarf elder
  • UK
9.9

A small European bush with pink flowers and a strong bad smell

is herbaceous rather than a woody shrub

How Big

sapling
16 2.7
shrub
44 1.0
dwarf elder
  • UK
9.4
herbaceous plant
  • Specialized
1 4.5
groundcover
  • Specialized
1 4.7
moss
46 1.0

Surface Forms

dwarf elder singular
dwarf elders plural

Morphology

dwarf + elder

The meaning 'a small elder plant' is directly and compositionally derived from 'dwarf' (small) modifying 'elder' (a Sambucus shrub). This modifier+noun pattern is transparent and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituent words would readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Dwarf elder combines dwarf (meaning very small) and elder (the elder plant). It names a low-growing plant that looks like a small elder with dark berries and a strong smell, and people have long used it as medicine, so the name gives a clear picture of the plant.