holm tree
- noun
:
encina
- The ancient holm tree stood at the edge of the Mediterranean forest, its dark leaves gleaming in the sun.
Examples
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She mistook the spiny leaves of the holm tree for those of a holly bush.
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Carpenters valued wood from the holm tree for its exceptional hardness and durability.
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The holm tree stands tall in the garden.
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Many holm trees can be found in Mediterranean regions.
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Carpenters valued wood from the holm tree for its exceptional hardness and durability.
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The ancient holm tree stood at the edge of the Mediterranean forest, its dark leaves gleaming in the sun.
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Many holm trees can be found in Mediterranean regions, known for their evergreen foliage.
Synonyms
34
1.0
A large strong tree with leaves that have deep rounded edges and small nuts called acorns
An evergreen oak tree from southern Europe with leaves like holly
An evergreen tree with leaves like holly that grows in Mediterranean regions
A tree that keeps leaves all year and has hard wood and spiny dark green leaves like holly
An evergreen oak tree with shiny leaves
A tree with hard wood that keeps its leaves all year, common in southern Europe
How Hard
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound is a literal noun–noun combination: 'holm' names a specific kind of evergreen oak and 'tree' names the plant, so 'holm tree' straightforwardly means an oak tree of that species. This is a compositional, non-idiomatic formation following common naming patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would understand it.
Etymology
Holm tree gets its name from its dark, pointed leaves that look like holly and from its very hard wood. The word holm pointed to those 'holly-like' leaves, so imagining a tough oak with sharp leaves helps you remember that holm tree means 'an oak with hard wood and holly-style leaves'.