granadilla tree

9.9

A Caribbean tree that makes hard green wood used for fine furniture and instruments

noun

: granadilla

The granadilla tree is known for its high-quality green ebony wood used in fine furniture.

Examples

The wood of the granadilla tree is highly prized for making musical instruments.
Conservationists are concerned about the dwindling population of granadilla trees in the wild.
Carpenters in the Caribbean often seek out the granadilla tree for its durable timber.
The granadilla tree is known for its dense wood.
Many granadilla trees grow in tropical climates.
Carpenters in the Caribbean often seek out the granadilla tree for its durable timber.
The wood of the granadilla tree is highly prized for making musical instruments.

Synonyms

granadillo

vsgranadilla tree

9.9

A Caribbean tree that gives hard greenish-black wood used for musical instruments

emphasizes the wood quality rather than instrument or woodworking uses

Brya ebenus

vsgranadilla tree

Specialized

9.9

A tree from the Caribbean with very hard greenish wood used for furniture and instruments

focuses on overall high quality green ebony rather than specific craft uses

Surface Forms

granadilla tree singular

granadilla trees plural

Morphology

granadilla + tree

The compound follows the productive English pattern 'X tree' (a tree associated with X), so a learner who knows 'granadilla' as a noun would likely infer it names a tree related to that item. However, the MWE refers to a specific species and a property (yielding high-quality green ebony wood) that is not predictable from the constituents alone, so full understanding requires lexical/specialized knowledge.

Etymology

Granadilla tree comes from the Spanish word granadilla, which means 'little pomegranate' and was used by early Spanish speakers for small round fruits they found in the Caribbean. People then used that name for a local tree known for its very hard, dark wood, so today granadilla tree means the tree that gives this valued wood.