plane tree

noun

1. any tree of the genus Platanus, especially P. occidentalis, the buttonwood or sycamore of North America, having palmately lobed leaves and bark that sheds.

plane tree

noun

1. Also called: platan. any tree of the genus Platanus, having ball-shaped heads of fruits and leaves with pointed lobes: family Platanaceae. The hybrid P. × acerifolia ( London plane ) is frequently planted in towns

Word History and Origins

Origin of plane tree¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Word History and Origins

Origin of plane tree¹

C14 plane, from Old French, from Latin platanus, from Greek platanos, from platos wide, referring to the leaves