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Glite Dictionary
pear hawthorn

pear hawthorn

9.9
A North American tree or bush with few thorns and pear-shaped berries
  • noun
  • /pɛr ˈhɔːθɔrn/
  • US
translation icon : espino peral
  • The pear hawthorn is known for its distinctive pear-shaped fruit.

Examples

  • Unlike other species, the pear hawthorn has very few thorns on its branches.

  • We planted a pear hawthorn in the garden to attract birds in autumn.

  • The pear hawthorn grows well in sunny areas.

  • Many pear hawthorns are found in the park.

  • The pear hawthorn is a popular choice among gardeners due to its attractive fruit and minimal thorns.

  • In spring, the pear hawthorn blooms with white flowers, making it a beautiful addition to any landscape.

  • Birds love to feed on the berries of the pear hawthorn during the fall season.

Synonyms

Crataegus calpodendron
vspear hawthorn
  • Specialized
9.9

A North American hawthorn tree or shrub with upright branches, almost no thorns, and pear-shaped berries

is the common name used instead of the scientific form
pear haw
vspear hawthorn
  • US
9.9

A small tree with few thorns that has pear-shaped berries

is the established name for that species in general usage
Crataegus tomentosa
vspear hawthorn
  • Specialized
9.9

A small American tree with upright branches, almost no thorns, and pear-shaped berries

is the same general plant but differs in specific scientific identification
blackthorn
vspear hawthorn
  • US
8.8

An American hawthorn tree with few thorns and small pear-shaped berries

is a term that contrasts with a related European species

Surface Forms

pear hawthorn singular
pear hawthorns plural

Morphology

pear + hawthorn

The noun-noun compound 'pear hawthorn' transparently denotes a type of hawthorn associated with pears (i.e., a hawthorn with somewhat pear-shaped berries), so a B1 learner who knows 'pear' and 'hawthorn' can readily infer this description. This follows a common attributive compound pattern (modifier noun + head noun) that is cross-linguistically regular and therefore predictable.

Etymology

Pear hawthorn The name pear hawthorn comes from an American hawthorn whose small fruits look like tiny pears. It combines pear for the 'pear-shaped' fruit and hawthorn for the plant, so the name means that specific tree with pear-like berries and few thorns.