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Glite Dictionary
Cedrela odorata

Cedrela odorata

9.5
A tropical American tree with wood that smells nice and is used to make boxes and other wooden things
  • noun
  • /sɛˈdreɪlə oʊˈdɔːrətə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Cedrela odorata
  • The cigar box was made from the aromatic wood of Cedrela odorata.

Examples

  • Farmers in Central America grow Cedrela odorata for its valuable timber.

  • Cedrela odorata trees are commonly found in tropical forests and are prized by woodworkers.

  • The wood of the Cedrela odorata is highly valued for its aroma.

  • Have you ever seen a Cedrela odorata tree?

  • Cedrela odorata is known for its fragrant wood, making it a popular choice for crafting fine furniture.

  • Many artisans use the wood of Cedrela odorata to create beautifully crafted boxes that are highly sought after.

  • The distinctive aroma of Cedrela odorata wood adds a unique touch to handmade products.

Synonyms

Spanish cedar tree
vsCedrela odorata
  • US
8.1

A tropical American tree with fragrant, lightweight wood used for cigar boxes

is more general, noting use for boxes and other products
Spanish cedar
vsCedrela odorata
  • US
7.2

A tropical American tree with wood that smells nice and is often used to make cigar boxes

is broader, mentioning use for boxes and other products

Surface Forms

Cedrela odorata singular
Cedrela odoratas plural

Morphology

Cedrela + odorata

The binomial name is transparently compositional: Cedrela (a genus of timber trees) + odorata (Latin for 'scented'/'odorous') yields the meaning 'a Cedrela species with fragrant wood', which can be directly inferred from the parts. The epithet 'odorata' is cognate with English 'odor/odorous' (and similar in many languages), so a learner who knows both constituents can readily understand the MWE.

Etymology

Cedrela odorata may come from words meaning 'cedar-like' and 'fragrant'. The part Cedrela points to cedar and odorata means 'fragrant', so the name describes a cedar-like tree with nice-smelling wood that people use for boxes and other products.