topiary

American  

[toh-pee-er-ee] / ˈtoʊ piˌɛr i /

adjective

1. (of a plant) clipped or trimmed into fantastic shapes.

2. of or relating to such trimming.

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noun

plural

topiaries

1. topiary work; the topiary art.

2. a garden containing such work.

topiary British  

/ ˈtəʊpɪərɪ, ˌtəʊpɪˈɛərɪən /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by the trimming or training of trees or bushes into artificial decorative animal, geometric, or other shapes

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noun

1. 1. topiary work

   2. a topiary garden

2. the art of topiary

Other Word Forms

• topiarian adjective
• topiarist noun

Etymology

Origin of topiary

1585–95; < Latin topiārius pertaining to landscape-gardening or to ornamental gardens, equivalent to topi ( a ) (plural) artificial landscape (< Greek tópia (singular topion ), diminutive of tópos place) + -ārius -ary

Example Sentences

I love Arlington Garden, a small, tucked-away garden with cool topiaries, sculptures and a rustic feel.

From Los Angeles Times

Many trees, shrubs, sub-shrubs and even vines can become topiaries, he has discovered, but some are easier, better or faster.

From Seattle Times

They ducked past spring topiaries and the Founder's fountain as they made their way to the Stariary.

From Literature

Plan ahead now to give your yard permanent color and texture even in the bleakest months with evergreen hedges, small trees or glamorous topiary.

From Seattle Times

For us, the Edgar is a work of rasquache art, a human topiary requiring habitual maintenance.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• forest
• sapling
• seedling
• shrub
• timber
• wood