mahoe

American  

[muh-hoh] / məˈhoʊ /

noun

1. hau tree.

2. a tropical American tree, Hibiscus elatus, of the mallow family, having wood used for cabinetwork and gunstocks.

3. a tree, Melicytus ramiflora, of the violet family, native to New Zealand and other Pacific islands, having greenish flowers and blue berries.

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mahoe British  

/ mɑːhɒ /

noun

1. Also called: hinahina.   whitewood.   whiteywood.  a small New Zealand tree, Melicytus ramiflorus , with white flowers and bark

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Etymology

Origin of mahoe

First recorded in 1660–70; from French mahot, from Arawak

Example Sentences

Paritium elatum.—The mountain mahoe, a malvaceous plant, that furnishes the beautiful lace-like bark called Cuba bast, imported by nurserymen for tying their plants.

From Catalogue of Economic Plants in the Collection of the U. S. Department of Agriculture by Saunders, William

I ke kamailio ana i keia kaao, ua oleloia ma Laie, Koolau, kona wahi i hanau ai, a he mau mahoe laua, o Kahauokapaka ka makuakane, o Malaekahana ka makuahine.

From The Hawaiian Romance Of Laieikawai by Beckwith, Martha Warren