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rowan

rowan

1 8.6
A small tree from Europe and Asia with many small leaves and groups of orange-red berries
  • noun
  • /ˈroʊən/
translation icon : serbal
  • In autumn, the rowan's bright berries attract many birds and wildlife.
  • rowan tree
  • rowan berries
  • rowan leaves

Examples

  • The rowan tree is known for its beautiful clusters of orange-red berries.

  • Springing to my feet in agitation, I paced around the small clearing, fallen rowan berries crunching under my feet.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • How the rowan berries will be sweet after the frost.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Everything was quiet in the small glade except for the faint rush of wind through the leaves of the rowan tree.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • August: red rowan trees, yellow sunflowers, marigolds still in full bloom, asters.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • The rowan tree sagged under the weight, each twig coated to a stubby thickness.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • There were wrought-iron security grids over every other front door, and someone had planted the extensive shared gardens at the back with ilex, ornamental rowan, and even a fig.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Walking through the forest, I admired a rowan tree laden with fruit.

Synonyms

Sorbus aucuparia
vsrowan
  • UK
9.9

A European and Asian tree with many small leaflets and clusters of orange-red berries

is the common everyday name rather than the scientific label
7.7

A small tree from Europe and Asia with leaves made of many small leaflets and clusters of orange-red berries

is the general genus name without the regional qualifier
rowan tree
vsrowan
7.2

A small tree with white flowers and red berries that birds eat

is the broader genus term rather than this common descriptive phrase
mountain ash
vsrowan
  • Australian
5.0

A tree with divided leaves, white spring flowers, and red or orange berries that attract birds

is the specific common name for the small Eurasian species

Compounds

A small tree with white flowers and red berries that birds eat

8.6

A strong alcoholic drink flavored with rowan berries

A strong alcoholic drink made from rowan berries

Surface Forms

rowan singular
rowans plural

Etymology

Rowan comes from an old Scandinavian word reynir, which meant 'rowan tree' or 'tree with red berries', and people long ago believed its bright berries could protect against evil. So a rowan today still means the small tree with orange-red fruit and the old stories about protection.