white beech
- noun
- /waɪt biːtʃ/
- US
:
haya blanca
- We collected the edible nuts under the white beech during our hike.
Examples
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The white beech is commonly found in eastern North American forests.
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The lumber from the white beech is prized for its strength and smooth grain.
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Look at the beautiful white beeches lining the road!
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The white beech tree grows tall and strong.
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We collected the edible nuts under the white beech during our hike.
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The white beech is commonly found in eastern North American forests.
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The lumber from the white beech is prized for its strength and smooth grain.
Synonyms
5
4.3
A large tree with smooth grey bark and small nuts you can eat
1
3.0
A large tree with smooth grey bark and small nuts inside a prickly cover
A North American tree with light green leaves and nuts you can eat
A North American tree with light green leaves and edible nuts
A beech tree from eastern North America with smooth bark and nuts people and animals eat
A North American tree that loses its leaves in autumn, with smooth gray bark and edible nuts
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly derivable from the constituents: 'white' describes color and 'beech' names the tree, so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it refers to a beech tree that is white or light-coloured. Color + noun compounds are a common, productive pattern across languages, making this composition transparent rather than idiomatic or metaphorical.
Etymology
White beech comes from a simple description: white describes the tree's pale bark or light green leaves and beech names the type of tree. So, 'white beech' means 'a beech tree with pale bark or light leaves', which fits the tree we know today with edible nuts.