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Glite Dictionary
lignum

lignum

1 9.9
The hard wood inside a plant that forms stems and trunks
  • noun
  • /ˈlɪɡnəm/
  • Archaic
translation icon : lignum
  • Irinwood, Lignum Vitae, snakewood, Piratinera Guianensis, black wood, Dalbergia Melanoxylon.
  • lignum vitae

Examples

  • It is found by experience to be far better and of more use than the wood, which is called Guaiacum or Lignum vitae.

    Academic text (2014)

  • On her head is a coronet of lignum vitae.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • And that cicadas were singing from the lignum vitae tree, said "No."

    Academic text (1990)

  • Claude explained the virtue of the latter: the handles of lignum vitae, the hardest of the hardwoods, lathed at an angle that pleased the grip.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • I'd suggest Ironwood, Lignum Vitae, maybe snakewood, Piratinera Guianensis, Or possibly african black wood, Dalbergia Melanoxylon.

    Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)

  • Lignum vitae is prized for its density and durability, making it ideal for heavy-duty applications.

  • The carpenter selected a piece of lignum for the furniture project because it provides excellent structural support.

  • He chose lignum vitae to carve intricate designs, as its hard wood allows for fine details.

Compounds

bastard lignum vitae
  • US
9.9

A small evergreen tree from the southern US and Caribbean used for very hard, heavy wood

lignum vitae
9.9

A small evergreen tree from the Caribbean with very hard wood and a sticky sap used as medicine

lignum vitae
  • Specialized
9.9

Very hard wood from a Caribbean tree used for tools and boat parts

Surface Forms

lignum singular
ligna plural

Etymology

Lignum comes from the Latin root lign- meaning 'wood'. So lignum refers to the woody tissue that gives a plant its main strength and support, like the solid wood inside a tree trunk.