alerce

[ uh-ler-suh ]

noun

1. the wood of the sandarac tree.
2. a Chilean evergreen tree, Fitzroya cupressoides, having furrowed, reddish bark and overlapping leaves.
3. Chilean cedar ( def ).

alerce

/ əˈlɜːs; æˈlɜːsɪ /

noun

1. the wood of the sandarac tree
2. a cupressus-like Chilean pine, Fitzroya cupressoides, cut for timber

Word History and Origins

Origin of alerce¹

First recorded in 1770–80; from Spanish, an extended meaning of alerce “European larch” (Larix decidua), influenced by Arabic al-ʾarz “the cypress, larch”; larch ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of alerce¹

Spanish: larch, from Latin larix, influenced by Arabic al-arz

Example Sentences

Alerce, a-lers′, n. the wood of the sandarac-tree: the Chilian Arbor vit—both of the pine family.

From Project Gutenberg

On the higher parts, brushwood takes the place of larger trees, with here and there a red cedar or an alerce pine.

From Project Gutenberg