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Yew: meaning, definitions and examples

๐ŸŒฒ
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yew

 

[ juห ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

botanical term

Yew refers to a type of coniferous tree or shrub belonging to the genus Taxus, which is known for its dark green foliage and red berries. These trees are primarily found in the Northern Hemisphere, and their wood is highly valued for its strength and density. Yews can live for many centuries, with some specimens being over 2,000 years old. They are often associated with cemeteries and churchyards due to their longevity and ability to thrive in shaded environments.

Synonyms

Taxus, yew tree

Examples of usage

  • The old yew in the garden is over 300 years old.
  • Yews are commonly used in hedge formation due to their dense growth.
  • In ancient times, yew wood was used for making archery bows.

Translations

Translations of the word "yew" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น teixo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฏew

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Eibe

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ yew

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั‚ัƒั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ cis

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚คใƒใ‚ค

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท if

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ tejo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท รงam

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ธก๋ฐฑ๋‚˜๋ฌด

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุดุฌุฑุฉ ุงู„ุชูˆุช

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ tis

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ tis

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็ดซๆ‰

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ tisa

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ รพykkvibjวซrk

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ะฐะนั‹าฃ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ˜แƒแƒ•แƒœแƒแƒœแƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ yew

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ tejo

Etymology

The word 'yew' comes from the Old English term 'iw', which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic '*ฤซwaz'. This root is related to similar words in other Germanic languages, such as Old High German 'iow' and Old Norse 'yew'. The yew tree has been significant in various cultures, particularly in ancient Britain, where it was often planted in churchyards and was associated with death and immortality because of its long lifespan and evergreen nature. The wood of the yew tree was prized in ancient times for its use in making longbows, particularly by the English, due to its flexibility and strength. Yew's toxic properties have also contributed to its mystique, with parts of the tree being poisonous, which led to various folklore and superstitions surrounding it.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,075, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.