espalier

[ ih-spal-yer, -yey ]
/ ɪˈspæl yər, -yeɪ /

noun

a trellis or framework on which the trunk and branches of fruit trees or shrubs are trained to grow in one plane.
a plant so trained.

verb (used with object)

to train on an espalier.
to furnish with an espalier.

Origin of espalier

1655–65; < French, Middle French: trellis < Italian spalliera back rest, espalier, equivalent to spall(a) shoulder, support + -iera -ier2

Words nearby espalier

Example sentences from the Web for espalier

British Dictionary definitions for espalier

espalier
/ (ɪˈspæljə) /

noun

an ornamental shrub or fruit tree that has been trained to grow flat, as against a wall
the trellis, framework, or arrangement of stakes on which such plants are trained
the method used to produce such plants

verb

(tr) to train (a plant) on an espalier

Word Origin for espalier

C17: from French: trellis, from Old Italian: shoulder supports, from spalla shoulder, from Late Latin spatula