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tree trunk

tree trunk

12 1.0
The main hard part of a tree above the ground that holds branches and leaves
  • noun
  • /tri trʌŋk/
translation icon : tronco
  • The tree trunk was thick and sturdy, supporting the canopy above.
  • a massive tree trunk
  • tree trunk and branches

Who would be in a position to know the tree trunk is covered with colonies of creepy Moss?

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Examples

  • But he would lay his head to listen on almost anything solid: tree trunks, stones.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • In other places, students followed old trail markers on tree trunks to find their way.

    Academic text (2018)
  • But we got the tree trunk out of the way.

  • Wrap this around a tree trunk.

  • It's kind of hard to get a tree trunk into my hand luggage.

  • I'm not spending all weekend sitting on a tree trunk.

  • The platform was not large, but the tree trunk provided a nice brace.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Do you see those fallen tree trunks?

  • You can see the great big tree trunks, the gorgeous hostas.

  • The children rub up and down against the tree trunks, kissing and hugging them.

    Fiction book (1993)

Synonyms

trunk
vstree trunk
79 1.9

The main thick part of a tree that has bark and holds branches

is the same meaning but expressed as a two-word phrase
bole
vstree trunk
  • Specialized
1 9.1

The main trunk of a tree used for timber

is broader meaning the whole woody support that holds branches and leaves

How Big

tree trunk
12 1.0
beam
104 2.7
backlog
  • Archaic
8.0
stick
686 1.0
kindling
9 2.2

Surface Forms

tree trunk singular
tree trunks plural

Morphology

tree + trunk

The meaning 'the main woody stem of a tree' is directly and transparently composed from 'tree' and 'trunk' — a B1 learner who knows both words can immediately infer the referent. This noun+noun compound is a straightforward, cross-linguistically common composition, so the phrase will be easily understood without prior exposure.

Etymology

Tree trunk comes from thinking of the trunk as the tree's main body that holds the branches and leaves. This strong wooden post is the 'main stem', so tree trunk means the thick stem above the ground that supports the whole tree.