white elm

6.4

A large tree from eastern North America with wide branches that give good shade

noun
/waɪt ɛlm/

: olmo blanco

Several white elms lined the avenue, their spreading branches arching gracefully overhead.

Examples

The old white elm in our backyard provides deep shade throughout the summer.
Dutch elm disease has threatened many white elm populations in North America.
The white elm stands majestically in the park.
Many white elms grow along the riverbank.
Several white elms lined the avenue, their spreading branches arching gracefully overhead.
Dutch elm disease has threatened many white elm populations in North America.
The old white elm in our backyard provides deep shade throughout the summer.

Synonyms

American elm

vswhite elm

1 4.6

A large shade tree from eastern North America with wide, arching branches

is an alternative traditional common name used less often

Ulmus americana

vswhite elm

Specialized

8.2

A large tree that loses its leaves with wide graceful branches often planted in parks for shade

is the everyday common name used outside scientific contexts

Surface Forms

white elm singular

white elms plural

Morphology

white + elm

This is a straightforward adjective + noun composition: a B1 learner who knows 'white' and 'elm' will readily infer it refers to an elm tree that is white or the species called 'white elm'. The meaning follows ordinary English modifier + noun patterns (cross-linguistically common), so it is directly derivable from the constituents.

Etymology

White elm comes from the tree's pale look: its inner bark and wood are light and the leaves can look pale underneath. That's why people used white to tell this kind of elm apart from darker elms.