greenheart

[ green-hahrt ]

noun

1. a South American tree, Ocotea (or Nectandra ) rodiei, of the laurel family, yielding a hard, durable wood often used for wharves and bridges and in shipbuilding.
2. any of certain other timber trees of tropical America.
3. their valuable greenish wood.

greenheart

/ ˈɡriːnˌhɑːt /

noun

1. Also calledbebeeru a tropical American lauraceous tree, Ocotea (or Nectandra ) rodiaei, that has dark green durable wood and bark that yields the alkaloid bebeerine
2. any of various similar trees
3. the wood of any of these trees

Word History and Origins

Origin of greenheart¹

First recorded in 1750–60; green + heart

Example Sentences

There was a tiny splash, a laugh, and the little greenheart rod flicked a trout high over his head.

From Project Gutenberg

The best greenheart and oak ribs were used, being carefully dressed and of large size.

From Project Gutenberg

Her sides are some eighteen inches thick, and sheathed and resheathed with "greenheart" to help her in battering the ice.

From Project Gutenberg

The ice-skin is of greenheart, and covers the whole ship's side from the keel to 18 inches from the sheer strake.

From Project Gutenberg

Some people prefer Greenheart or Wasahba for tips, but lancewood or red cedar is the best, I think.

From Project Gutenberg