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Glite Dictionary
mountain hemlock

mountain hemlock

7.7
A large evergreen tree with very hard wood that grows on high mountain slopes
  • noun
  • /ˈmaʊntən ˈhɛmˌlɑk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : tsuga de montaña
  • Many mountain hemlocks can be found in the Pacific Northwest.

Examples

  • The mountain hemlock grows in cold, mountainous regions.

  • Lumber from the mountain hemlock is valued for its hardness and durability.

  • Several hikers admired the tall mountain hemlock standing by the trail.

  • The mountain hemlock grows best at higher elevations in the Pacific Northwest.

  • The mountain hemlock is known for its tall, slender trunk and soft, needle-like leaves.

  • In the Pacific Northwest, the mountain hemlock thrives in high-elevation forests.

  • Forest rangers often identify the mountain hemlock by its unique bark and branching pattern.

Synonyms

Tsuga mertensiana
vsmountain hemlock
  • Specialized
9.9

A tall evergreen tree from western North America, called mountain hemlock

is the common English name used for that same species
black hemlock
vsmountain hemlock
  • US
9.3

A large evergreen tree from the western United States with very hard wood

is the standard species name rather than an alternative common label

Surface Forms

mountain hemlock singular
mountain hemlocks plural

Morphology

mountain + hemlock

The meaning is directly compositional: 'mountain' (high, mountainous) modifies 'hemlock' (a species of tree), so the phrase denotes a hemlock that grows in mountainous areas. This attributive noun pattern is common across languages and would be predictable to a B1 learner who knows both constituent words.

Etymology

The name mountain hemlock comes from the simple image of a hemlock tree that lives on mountains. So the name means 'a hemlock tree that lives in high places'.