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Glite Dictionary
Scotch pine

Scotch pine

1 6.4
A medium to large pine tree with two needles per cluster and reddish brown flaky bark
  • noun
  • /skɑtʃ paɪn/
  • US
translation icon : pino escocés
  • We planted several Scotch pines along the driveway to enhance the landscaping of our new home.

Examples

  • Well, we have white pine, Virginia pine and Scotch pine.

    Jingle All the Way 2 (2014)

  • That's-- that's a Scotch pine.

    All Is Bright (2013)

  • Rawlins used to have great scotch pines.

    Ordinary People (1980)

  • Scotch pine, still fresh.

    The Holdovers (2023)

  • The forest was filled with tall Scotch pines, their reddish-brown bark contrasting beautifully with the green needles.

  • The Scotch pine is well-known for its durability, making it a popular choice for reforestation projects.

Synonyms

Pinus sylvestris
vsScotch pine
  • Specialized
8.1

A tall pine tree that has two needles in each bundle and flaky red-brown bark

is the same species but used as a different common or scientific name
Scots pine
vsScotch pine
6.4

A pine tree with reddish-brown flaky bark and pairs of needles that grows in northern Europe and Asia

is the same species but is an alternative common name
Scotch fir
vsScotch pine
  • UK
7.6

A medium large pine tree from northern Europe and Asia with two needles on each leaf and red-brown flaky bark

is the same species but is a less common or archaic label

Surface Forms

Scotch pine singular
Scotch pines plural

Morphology

Scotch + pine

The compound is directly compositional: 'Scotch' = pertaining to Scotland and 'pine' = a coniferous tree, so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it denotes a pine associated with Scotland (i.e., a type/species of pine). This follows a common noun modification pattern for species/place associations and is therefore immediately understandable even if the precise botanical details are unknown.

Etymology

Scotch pine probably comes from the tree being common in Scotland. The old word Scotch meant 'from Scotland' and pine is the tree, so Scotch pine became the name for that kind of pine tree.