twist wood

9.9

A bush that loses its leaves and has red berries that turn black when ripe

noun

: madera de twist

The berries of the twist wood change from red to black as they mature.

Examples

We found a large twist wood growing near the old stone wall.
Gardeners often plant twist wood for its attractive foliage and berries.
Look at that twist wood!
This twist wood is beautiful.
The twist wood shrub is known for its vibrant red berries that eventually turn black.
During our walk, we admired the twist wood lining the pathway, with its lovely green leaves and bright berries.
Many birds are attracted to the twist wood because of its delicious berries.

Synonyms

Viburnum lantana

vstwist wood

Specialized

9.9

A European bush that loses its leaves and has red berries that turn black

is the common name used in ordinary English rather than the formal label

twistwood

vstwist wood

9.9

A strong bush that grows by roads, loses its leaves and has red berries that turn black

is the spaced form used in regular writing rather than the single word

wayfaring tree

vstwist wood

9.9

A strong European bush with groups of white flowers and berries that turn red then black

focuses on the shrub by its berries and roadside habit, not its flowers

Surface Forms

twist wood singular

twist woods plural

Morphology

twist + wood

This is a lexicalized plant name whose specific sense ('a vigorous deciduous shrub bearing red berries') is not derivable from the literal meanings of 'twist' (to turn) and 'wood' (timber). A B1 learner who knows the two words would most likely interpret it as 'twisted wood' or 'wood that is twisted' rather than a species of shrub, so the meaning is not predictable from the constituents.

Etymology

Twist wood may come from the plant's thin branches that twist and from the dark, hard wood inside. So the name points to a shrub with twisted stems and berries that change from red to black.