bully tree

9.9

A tropical hardwood tree that gives balata, a rubber-like gum, and heavy red-brown wood

noun

: árbol balata

Harvesting the gum from the bully tree is an important industry in the region.

Examples

The craftsmen used bully tree wood to create sturdy furniture.
In the rainforest, the bully tree stands tall, providing shelter for various animals.
And that's the bully tree.

The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking (1988)

Synonyms

Manilkara bidentata

vsbully tree

Specialized

9.9

A large tropical tree from the Americas that makes a sticky gum and very hard wood

is a general name for related tropical hardwood trees, not only the species

balata

vsbully tree

Specialized

9.9

A large tropical tree that gives heavy red wood and a rubber-like gum

is a broader genus name covering similar species, not only this wood

balata tree

vsbully tree

Specialized

9.9

A tropical tree from Central and South America that makes thick gum and has heavy red wood

is the genus label for related trees, not limited to that single hardwood

Manilkara

vsbully tree

Specialized

9.9

A group of large tropical evergreen trees that have milky sap

is the specific hardwood known for producing gum and heavy red timber

Surface Forms

bully tree singular

bully trees plural

Morphology

bully + tree

The compound names a specific tropical hardwood species (Manilkara) and its botanical/industrial meaning (yields balata gum, reddish timber) cannot be derived from the words 'bully' + 'tree'. Moreover, 'bully' as an archaic adjective meaning 'splendid' is rare and learners typically know 'bully' as someone who intimidates, so a B1 learner knowing the constituents would at best infer 'a splendid tree' or be confused rather than recover the species-specific sense.

Etymology

Bully tree may come from an old use of the word 'bully' that meant 'strong' or 'excellent'. The tree makes very hard, heavy wood, so the name shows its tough, long-lasting timber.