American hornbeam

noun

See under hornbeam.

Origin of American hornbeam

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85

Definition for american hornbeam (2 of 2)

hornbeam
[ hawrn-beem ]
/ ˈhɔrnˌbim /

noun

any North American shrub or tree belonging to the genus Carpinus, of the birch family, yielding a hard, heavy wood, as C. caroliniana (American hornbeam).

Origin of hornbeam

First recorded in 1570–80; horn + beam

British Dictionary definitions for american hornbeam

hornbeam
/ (ˈhɔːnˌbiːm) /

noun

any tree of the betulaceous genus Carpinus, such as C. betulus of Europe and Asia, having smooth grey bark and hard white wood
the wood of any of these trees
Brit equivalent: ironwood

Word Origin for hornbeam

C14: from horn + beam, referring to its tough wood