spice tree
- noun
- US
:
árbol de laurel
- The spice tree has aromatic leaves that are often used in traditional remedies.
Examples
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Carpenters value the tough wood of the spice tree for building tools and furniture.
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We spotted several spice trees growing along the Pacific coastline.
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The spice tree grows abundantly along the Pacific coast.
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Many spice trees produce aromatic leaves.
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Carpenters value the tough wood of the spice tree for building tools and furniture.
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The spice tree has aromatic leaves that are often used in traditional remedies.
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We spotted several spice trees growing along the Pacific coastline.
Synonyms
A tree from the Pacific coast of North America with strong-smelling leaves and hard wood
A coastal tree with fragrant leaves, small flowers, and olive-like fruit
A Pacific coastal tree with scented leaves and hard wood used for furniture
A tree with leaves that smell nice, small fruits like olives, and very hard wood
A coastal tree with fragrant leaves, small clusters of creamy flowers, and olive-like fruit
A tree that has leaves with a strong smell and gives hard wood for furniture
A coastal tree with scented leaves, small flower clusters, olive-like fruit and hard wood
A tree from the west coast of North America with strong-smelling leaves and hard wood
How Aromatic
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun phrase 'spice tree' is a straightforward compositional combination: a tree associated with or producing spices/aromatic parts, so a learner who knows 'spice' and 'tree' can infer this meaning. It is a literal, concrete referent rather than an idiom, and similar noun + noun/ noun phrase patterns appear across languages, supporting immediate comprehension at B1.
Etymology
Spice tree The name spice tree may come from coastal trees whose crushed leaves smell like spice and whose very hard wood was useful for making tools. That's why today the term refers to a Pacific coast tree with aromatic leaves and tough, useful wood.