selva

[ sel-vuh ]

noun

1. a tropical rainforest, as that in the Amazon basin of South America.

selva

/ ˈsɛlvə /

noun

1. dense equatorial forest, esp in the Amazon basin, characterized by tall broad-leaved evergreen trees, epiphytes, lianas, etc
2. a tract of such forest

Word History and Origins

Origin of selva¹

First recorded in 1840–50; from Brazilian Portuguese, Portuguese: literally “forest,” from Latin silva; silva ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of selva¹

C19: from Spanish and Portuguese, from Latin silva forest

Example Sentences

The bells became silent, and Signora Selva, fixing her blue eyes on her husband's eager gaze, offered him her lips.

From Project Gutenberg

They came to Selva when he was passing through a dark crisis, a bitter struggle, which need not be related here.

From Project Gutenberg

Selva himself seemed slightly annoyed, because unanimity of opinion on certain fundamental principles was surely necessary.

From Project Gutenberg

The light was fading in Giovanni Selva's study, and on the little table covered with books and papers.

From Project Gutenberg

Selva felt that the souls which had been united by a first impulse were drifting apart again.

From Project Gutenberg