elderberry bush
- noun
- /ˈɛldərˌbɛri bʌʃ/
- We picked ripe berries from the elderberry bush to make homemade jam.
Examples
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Have your own elderberry bushes?
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The elderberry bush in my garden blooms with delicate white flowers every spring.
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In the park, there is a beautiful elderberry bush that attracts many birds.
Synonyms
A small tree with white flowers that makes dark berries
A small tree or bush that has clusters of dark purple berries
A bush or small tree with white flowers and dark berries used to make jams and syrups
A small tree or bush that has dark berries used to make wine and jam
A small tree or bush with white flower clusters and dark berries used to make jam
A small tree or bush whose dark berries people use to make wine and jams
A common shrub or small tree with clusters of dark berries used for making jam and wine
A shrub with clusters of dark purple berries used to make jam, syrup or wine
A North American bush that makes dark purple berries used to make wine and jam
A shrub with clusters of dark purple berries used to make wine and jam
A North American bush that people use to make jam and wine from its purple-black berries
A small tree or shrub with white flowers and clusters of blue berries
A shrub or small tree with white flowers and blue berries used for jams and wines
A shrub or small tree with white flowers and blue berries used for wine and jelly
A bush or small tree that has clusters of bright red berries
A small tree or bush with clusters of bright red berries
A small wild plant with strong-smelling white flowers and black berries used in medicine
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a shrub of the elderberry' is directly and compositionally derived from 'elderberry' (the plant species) plus 'bush' (a small woody plant), so the phrase simply specifies the growth form of the elderberry. This straightforward noun + noun composition is common and cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
Elderberry bush is a literal name: it is a bush that grows elderberries, white flower clusters that turn into small dark berries. For a long time people used those berries and flowers to make 'syrup' and simple 'medicine', so the phrase points to a shrub known for its edible, helpful fruit.