afforest

[uh-fawr-ist, uh-for-]

verb (used with object)

1. to convert (bare or cultivated land) into forest, originally for the purpose of providing hunting grounds.

afforest

/ əˈfɒrɪst /

verb

1. (tr) to plant trees on; convert into forested land

Other Word Forms

• afforestation noun
• afforestment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of afforest¹

1495–1505; < Medieval Latin afforēstāre, equivalent to af- af- + forēst ( is ) forest + -āre infinitive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of afforest¹

C15: from Medieval Latin afforestāre, from forestis _forest

Example Sentences

In contrast to carbon-capture tree plantations, which predominantly store carbon above ground, these below-ground carbon sinks -- which would be lost if afforested -- are less susceptible to disturbances such as drought and fire.

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Looking at 11,000 soil samples taken from afforested plots, the scientists found that in carbon poor soils, adding new trees did increase the density of organic carbon.

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To convert into a forest; as, to afforest a tract of country.

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The portion of the county west of Southampton Water is almost wholly included in the New Forest, a sequestered district, one of the few remaining examples of an ancient afforested tract.

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Meanwhile every effort is made to encourage the afforesting of the rugged hill-sides, in order to check the violence of the floods and the denuding of the arid, desiccated soil.

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