catalpa

American  

[kuh-tal-puh] / kəˈtæl pə /

noun

1. any of several trees constituting the genus Catalpa, of the bignonia family, especially C. speciosa, of the central U.S., or C. bignonioides, of the southern U.S., having opposite, sometimes whorled leaves, clusters of white flowers, and long, beanlike seed pods.

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catalpa British  

/ kəˈtælpə /

noun

1. any bignoniaceous tree of the genus Catalpa of North America and Asia, having large leaves, bell-shaped whitish flowers, and long slender pods

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Etymology

Origin of catalpa

1720–30, (< New Latin ) < Creek katałpa, equivalent to ka-, combining form of iká head + tałpa wing (apparently so called from the shape of the flower)

Example Sentences

Nearby, beneath towering sycamore, catalpa and linden trees, a family sat down to supper at a picnic table.

From Washington Times • Nov. 22, 2020

Few reminders are left today of the town’s origins, other than Darwin Street, some catalpa trees and a cemetery designed by Walser.

From Washington Times • Jan. 8, 2017

The trees of the Scott Arboretum represent 150 years of commemorative plantings and replantings and include magnificent specimens of American elms, swamp white oaks, black gum and catalpa.

From Washington Post • May 24, 2016

Bradley’s aunt, LaRene Robertson Dizmang, said her father worked for 50 cents a day in a nearby catalpa grove near Adams before she was born in the 1940s.

From Washington Times • Jul. 11, 2014

He made a glider by stretching a catalpa leaf across two sticks, attached it to his back, and climbed to the top of his birch.

From "Abel's Island" by William Steig