Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
yew family

yew family

7.5
A group of evergreen trees and shrubs that includes the yew and similar plants
  • noun
  • /juː ˈfæmɪli/
  • Specialized
translation icon : familia de los tejos
  • The yew family includes several species of trees.

Examples

  • The yew family contains trees and shrubs well known for their toxic seeds.

  • Plants belonging to the yew family are often used in ornamental gardens.

  • Taxol, a cancer-fighting drug, is derived from members of the yew family.

  • Many members of the yew family are popular in gardens.

  • The yew family includes several coniferous trees that are often used for landscaping.

  • Many plants in the yew family, such as the common yew, are known for their longevity.

  • The yew family is recognized for its unique needle-like leaves and red berries.

Synonyms

Taxaceae
vsyew family
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of cone-bearing trees and shrubs that includes yew trees

is the common or descriptive name rather than the formal scientific name

Surface Forms

yew family singular
yew families plural

Morphology

yew + family

The phrase 'yew family' is a straightforward compositional noun phrase: a B1 learner who knows 'yew' (the tree) and 'family' (a grouping of related species) can infer it means the taxonomic group that includes yews. This pattern (X family / family of X) is common cross-linguistically and therefore highly transparent.

Etymology

Yew family names a group of trees and shrubs related to the yew. The name comes from yew, the long-lived tree, and family, meaning a 'group' of related kinds, so it simply means the plants that are like the yew.