velvet sumac
- noun
- /ˈvɛlvɪt ˈsuːmæk/
- Specialized
:
sumaque terciopelo
- You can identify velvet sumac by its dense, velvety branches and brilliant fall foliage.
Examples
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The leaves of the velvet sumac turn a stunning red in autumn, making it a popular ornamental plant.
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Clusters of crimson berries on the velvet sumac attract many types of birds.
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The velvet sumac grows beautifully in our garden.
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In autumn, the velvet sumac turns a vibrant red.
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The leaves of the velvet sumac turn a stunning red in autumn, making it a popular ornamental plant.
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Clusters of crimson berries on the velvet sumac attract many types of birds.
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You can identify velvet sumac by its dense, velvety branches and brilliant fall foliage.
Synonyms
4
6.5
A small tree or shrub with clusters of red berries used as a spice and for decoration
A small tree or shrub that loses leaves in autumn and has bright red leaves and red berries
A small tree or large bush with bright red leaves and sour red berries in autumn
A North American shrub or small tree with groups of bright red berries
A small tree or bush with leaves that turn bright red in autumn and clusters of red berries
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun phrase is transparently descriptive: 'velvet' (soft, smooth) simply modifies 'sumac' (a shrub), so the phrase denotes a sumac with velvety characteristics. This straightforward adjective + noun composition is cross-linguistically common and readily inferable by a B1 learner who knows both constituent words.
Etymology
Velvet sumac comes from the plant's soft, velvety branches, which is why it has velvet in the name, and from sumac, the common name for shrubs that have clusters of berries. So velvet and sumac help you remember a soft, fuzzy shrub with bright red autumn berries.