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Glite Dictionary
downy ash

downy ash

9.9
A small American ash tree with soft, fuzzy undersides on its leaves
  • noun
  • /ˈdaʊni æʃ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : fresno velloso
  • The downy ash is easily recognized by the soft, fuzzy texture on the underside of its leaves.

Examples

  • In the spring, the downy ash produces small, inconspicuous flowers along its velvety branches.

  • Conservation groups are working to protect native downy ash trees from invasive pests.

  • Look at the downy ash!

  • The downy ash is beautiful.

  • Conservation groups are working to protect native downy ash trees from invasive pests.

  • In the spring, the downy ash produces small, inconspicuous flowers along its velvety branches.

  • The downy ash is easily recognized by the soft, fuzzy texture on the underside of its leaves.

Surface Forms

downy ash singular
downy ashes plural

Morphology

downy + ash

The phrase is compositionally built: 'downy' describes a soft, hairy surface and 'ash' names the tree, so the meaning 'an ash tree with soft/velvety hairs' is directly derivable from the constituents. This adjectival + noun pattern is straightforward and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both words would understand it.

Etymology

Downy ash gets its name from the soft, fuzzy hairs on the underside of its leaves and on young branches. The word downy means 'soft and furry', so the name simply describes this small ash tree.