arbor

¹

especially British, ar·bour

[ahr-ber]

noun

1. a leafy, shady recess formed by tree branches, shrubs, etc.

2. a latticework bower intertwined with climbing vines and flowers.

3. Obsolete.,  a grass plot; lawn; garden; orchard.

arbor

²

[ahr-ber]

noun

1. Machinery.

   1. a bar, shaft, or axis that holds, turns, or supports a rotating cutting tool or grinding wheel, often having a tapered shank fitting tightly into the spindle of a machine tool.

   2. a beam, shaft, axle, or spindle.

2. Metallurgy.,  a reinforcing member of a core or mold.

arbor

³

[ahr-ber]

noun

Botany.

plural

arbores 

1. a tree.

arbor

¹

/ ˈɑːbə /

noun

1. a rotating shaft in a machine or power tool on which a milling cutter or grinding wheel is fitted

2. a rotating shaft or mandrel on which a workpiece is fitted for machining

3. metallurgy a part, piece, or structure used to reinforce the core of a mould

arbor

²

/ ˈɑːbə /

noun

1. the US spelling of arbour

Other Word Forms

• arboresque adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of arbor¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English (h)erber, erba(i)re, arbere “(flower) garden, pleasure garden, herb garden,” Anglo-French (h)erber, Old French (h)erbier “grassy place, herb garden”; respelling with -or under the influence of arbor ³

Origin of arbor²

First recorded in 1650–60; from French, arbre “tree, axis,” from Latin arbor “tree, mast, (spear) shaft, oar”; respelling of earlier arber, arbre by association with arbor ³

Origin of arbor³

First recorded in 1660–70; from New Latin, Latin; arbor ² ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of arbor¹

C17: from Latin: tree, mast

Example Sentences

There the tribe has built a senior center and a shaded arbor for its ceremonial gatherings, including the making of “nupa,” the Miwok word for acorn soup.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Trees will be delivered with stakes, ties, arbor guards and an instructional DVD on tree planting and maintenance.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Long-term goals include building a cultural center and an arbor for traditional dance and games.

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They were often planted on backyard arbors, where they would provide both shade and a snack.

Read more on Salon

Maybe this is the year to add a rose arbor or put in raised vegetable beds.

Read more on Seattle Times

Related Words

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• shelf