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Glite Dictionary
Douglas hemlock

Douglas hemlock

9.9
A tall evergreen tree from northwestern North America with short needles and egg-shaped cones
  • noun
  • /ˈdʌɡləs ˈhɛmˌlɑk/
  • US
translation icon : pino hemlock de Douglas
  • The short needles and egg-shaped cones help identify the Douglas hemlock among other evergreens.

Examples

  • We hiked through a forest dominated by ancient Douglas hemlock trees.

  • The Douglas hemlock grows well in moist, shaded areas.

  • The Douglas hemlock is highly valued for its strong, durable timber.

  • Look at that tall Douglas hemlock!

  • The short needles and egg-shaped cones help identify the Douglas hemlock among other evergreens.

  • We hiked through a forest dominated by ancient Douglas hemlock trees.

  • The Douglas hemlock grows well in moist, shaded areas.

Synonyms

Douglas fir
vsDouglas hemlock
  • US
1 4.0

A tall evergreen tree from western North America with short needles and strong wood

is focused on natural features like short needles and egg-shaped cones
Doug fir
vsDouglas hemlock
  • US
1 4.4

A large evergreen tree with strong wood often used as a Christmas tree

is a botanical description focusing on native range and physical features
Pseudotsuga menziesii
vsDouglas hemlock
  • Specialized
9.9

A tall evergreen tree native to northwestern North America with short needles and egg-shaped cones

is the common nontechnical name used in everyday speech
Oregon fir
vsDouglas hemlock
  • US
6.1

A tall evergreen tree native to northwest North America with short needles and egg-shaped cones, also called Douglas fir

is the descriptive traditional name focusing on needles and cones
Douglas spruce
vsDouglas hemlock
  • US
7.1

A tall evergreen tree from northwestern North America with short needles and egg-shaped cones

is the accepted species name without implying that other group
Douglas pine
vsDouglas hemlock
  • US
3.9

A tall evergreen tree from northwest North America with short needles and egg-shaped cones

is the accepted species name not implying membership in that group
Oregon pine
vsDouglas hemlock
  • US
6.3

A large evergreen tree from northwestern North America also called Douglas fir with short needles and egg-shaped cones

is the standard species name without implying an alternate group

Surface Forms

Douglas hemlock singular
Douglas hemlocks plural

Morphology

Douglas + hemlock

This is a straightforward noun phrase in which the proper name 'Douglas' modifies 'hemlock' to indicate a variety or species; a learner who knows both constituents will infer it denotes a kind of hemlock tree. The construction follows common English naming patterns for species/varieties (Name + noun), so the overall meaning is compositional and predictable.

Etymology

Douglas hemlock probably got its name from a Scottish plant collector named Douglas who first brought this tall fir to Europe. People called it hemlock because its short needles and small egg-shaped cones looked like other hemlock trees, so the name helps you remember 'a tall fir tree with short needles and egg-shaped cones'.