arbor

¹ American  

[ahr-ber] / ˈɑr bər /

especially British, arbour

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.

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arbor ² American  

[ahr-ber] / ˈɑr bər /

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.

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arbor ³ American  

[ahr-ber] / ˈɑr bər /

noun

Botany.

plural

arbores

1. a tree.

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arbor ¹ British  

/ 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

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arbor ² British  

/ ˈɑːbə /

noun

1. the US spelling of arbour

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Other Word Forms

• arboresque adjective

Etymology

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. )

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.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Salon

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

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• bed
• box
• counter
• furniture
• shelf