winged spindle tree

9.9

A bushy shrub with winged branches and red leaves in autumn

noun

: árbol de huso alado

The leaves of the winged spindle tree turn a brilliant red in the fall, making it a popular choice for gardens.

Examples

They planted a winged spindle tree near the walkway for its unusual winged branches.
In its native habitat, the winged spindle tree thrives in well-drained, sunny locations.
The winged spindle tree is a beautiful addition to any garden.
Have you seen the winged spindle trees in the park?
The leaves of the winged spindle tree turn a brilliant red in the fall, making it a popular choice for gardens.
In its native habitat, the winged spindle tree thrives in well-drained, sunny locations.
They planted a winged spindle tree near the walkway for its unusual winged branches.

Synonyms

Euonymus alatus

vswinged spindle tree

Specialized

9.9

A bushy shrub from Asia with corky, winged stems and bright red autumn leaves

is the same shrub but named in ordinary English instead of in Latin

Surface Forms

winged spindle tree singular

winged spindle trees plural

Morphology

winged + spindle + tree

The noun phrase is compositionally transparent: 'winged' modifies 'spindle tree', so it denotes a spindle tree that has wing-like appendages on its branches. Even if 'spindle' is somewhat technical, the structure describes visible physical features, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words can infer it refers to a type of tree with wing-like ridges.

Etymology

The name winged spindle tree may come from the thin, flat 'wings' of bark that run along its branches and from spindle, an old word for a small stick used to spin yarn. So the name simply describes the tree's special winged branches.