juniper

[ joo-nuh-per ]

/ ˈdʒu nə pər /

noun

any evergreen, coniferous shrub or tree of the genus Juniperus, especially J. communis, having cones that resemble dark-blue or blackish berries used in flavoring gin and in medicine as a diuretic.

a tree mentioned in the Old Testament, said to be the retem.

Nearby words

Origin of juniper

1350–1400; Middle English junipere < Latin jūniperus

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for juniper

Hoffman at Juniper has some advice on how to protect yourself.
The Virus in Your Pocket: a Boom in Android Malware|Dan Lyons|February 16, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Might this be the endgame of the series, to see the Henricksons restored as the rightful custodians of Juniper Creek?
'Big Love's Big Comeback|Jace Lacob|January 12, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Flavors of red plums, juniper, and star anise make it the perfect holiday party red to go with cheeses or chocolate truffles.
Holiday Wine and Booze Gift Guide|Ratha Tep|December 18, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Juniper, which is the principal flavoring of gin, is very fragrant, with a pine scent.
Best of the Best|Cookstr.com|October 6, 2009|DAILY BEAST

Presently Brother Juniper lifted the pots from the fire, and rang the dinner bell.
Pictures in Umbria|Katharine S. (Katharine Sarah) Macquoid
But she could not stop to think of this: she could think only of Melvina, cowering, wet and afraid, under the juniper bushes.
A Little Maid of Old Maine|Alice Turner Curtis
If he cannot sleep under the juniper tree, he will hide himself in a cave.
Elijah the Tishbite|C. (Charles) H. (Henry) Mackintosh
It is usually combined with infusion of juniper berries or foxglove.
Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume II|Arnold Cooley
The winter food undoubtedly included the leaves and stems of the willow, the juniper, and other winter plants.
Men of the Old Stone Age|Henry Fairfield Osborn

British Dictionary definitions for juniper

juniper

/ (ˈdʒuːnɪpə) /

noun

any coniferous shrub or small tree of the genus Juniperus, of the N hemisphere, having purple berry-like cones. The cones of J. communis (common or dwarf juniper) are used as a flavouring in making ginSee also red cedar (def. 1)

any of various similar trees, grown mainly as ornamentals

Old Testament one of the trees used in the building of Solomon's temple (I Kings 6:15, 34) and for shipbuilding (Ezekiel 27:5)

Word Origin for juniper

C14: from Latin jūniperus, of obscure origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for juniper

juniper

"evergreen shrub," late 14c., from Latin iuniperus (source of French genièvre, Spanish enebro, Portuguese zimbro, Italian ginepro), of uncertain origin, perhaps related to iunco "reed." Watkins has it from PIE *yoini-paros "bearing juniper berries," from *yoi-ni- "juniper berry." Applied to various North American species from 1748. In the Bible, it renders Hebrew rethem, the name of a white-flowered shrub unrelated to the European evergreen.