pine

¹

[ pahyn ]

noun

1. any evergreen, conifer of the genus Pinus, having long, needle-shaped leaves, certain species of which yield timber, turpentine, tar, pitch, etc. Compare pine family.
2. any of various similar coniferous trees.
3. the wood of the pine tree.
4. Informal. the pineapple.

pine

²

[ pahyn ]

verb (used without object)

, pined, pin·ing.

1. to yearn deeply; suffer with longing; long painfully (often followed by for ):

   to pine for one's home and family.

2. to fail gradually in health or vitality from grief, regret, or longing (often followed by away ):

   Separated by their families, the lovers pined away.

   Synonyms: waste, droop, languish, decline, dwindle

3. Archaic. to be discontented; fret.

verb (used with object)

, pined, pin·ing.

1. Archaic. to suffer grief or regret over.

noun

1. Archaic. painful longing.

pine

¹

/ paɪn /

noun

1. any evergreen resinous coniferous tree of the genus Pinus, of the N hemisphere, with long needle-shaped leaves and brown cones: family Pinaceae See also longleaf pine nut pine pitch pine Scots pine
2. any other tree or shrub of the family Pinaceae
3. the wood of any of these trees
4. any of various similar but unrelated plants, such as ground pine and screw pine

pine

²

/ paɪn /

verb

1. intr; often foll by for or an infinitive to feel great longing or desire; yearn
2. introften foll byaway to become ill, feeble, or thin through worry, longing, etc
3. archaic.
   tr to mourn or grieve for

Pine

³

/ paɪn /

noun

1. PineCourtney1964MBritishMUSIC: jazz saxophonist Courtney. born 1964, British jazz saxophonist and clarinettist

Other Words From

• pinelike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pine¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English pin(e), pigne, Old English pīntrēow “pine tree,” from Old French pin and Latin pīnus

Origin of pine²

First recorded before 900; Middle English pinen “to torture, torment, inflict pain, be in pain”; Old English pīnian “to torture,” derivative of pīn “torture” ( Middle English pine ), from Late Latin pēna, Latin poena “punishment”; pain

Word History and Origins

Origin of pine¹

Old English pīn, from Latin pīnus pine

Origin of pine²

Old English pīnian to torture, from pīn pain, from Medieval Latin pēna, from Latin poena pain

Synonym Study

See yearn.

Example Sentences

The understory of the ponderosa and sugar pine forest was speckled with manzanita, oak trees and dogwoods with yellow leaves, marking the start of fall.

From Los Angeles Times

But because of the size of the fire he allegedly started, which consisted of pine cones and needles, he was charged with misdemeanor crimes and was ultimately released from jail, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times

But she was adorned with pine incense and intricate lamps usually reserved for the wealthy, leaving room for speculation about the popularity of gladiatrices among Rome and her subjects.

From Salon

He gestured toward a patch of land off a path covered in pine needles and construction vehicles.

From Los Angeles Times

Panthers and pine cones, ravens, little deer, elephants and dragons offer their company for curious kids, while some of the difficult things about being a youngster are made easier by stories that offer comfort.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ache
• crave
• grieve
• hanker
• mourn
• yearn