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Glite Dictionary
alder tree

alder tree

4.1
A tree with toothed leaves that often grows by rivers and has wood that resists rot
  • noun
  • /ˈɔldər tri/
  • UK
translation icon : aliso
  • The alder tree thrives in wetland areas, providing habitats for various wildlife.

Examples

  • The bark of the alder tree is often used in traditional dyeing processes.

  • Many artisans prefer using wood from the alder tree because it is resistant to decay.

  • This is an Alder tree, which I love because the alders are really good in really wet areas, but they also whoops dropping them.

  • I saw this Alder tree that's falling down, but it makes these little Alder cones maybe easier to get to look at how beautiful those are.

Synonyms

alder
vsalder tree
4 5.5

A tree with toothed leaves that often grows near rivers and wet ground

is the same but uses the fuller phrase rather than the short common name

Surface Forms

alder tree singular
alder trees plural

Morphology

alder + tree

This is a straightforward noun–noun compound where 'alder' names a particular species and 'tree' is the general category; the meaning 'a tree of the alder species' is directly compositional from the constituents. Such species+category compounds (e.g. 'apple tree', 'oak tree') are common and cross-linguistically transparent, so a learner who knows both words will understand the MWE.

Etymology

Alder tree is named for trees that often grow near rivers. Their alder wood stays strong in water and people used their alder bark to make natural dye, so the name points to a tree known for 'wood that resists rot' and 'bark used for dye'.