turkey oak

noun

1. any of several oaks, as Quercus cerris, of Eurasia, or Q. laevis and Q. incana, of the southern U.S., that grow on dry, sandy barrens.

Turkey oak

noun

1. an oak tree, Quercus cerris , of W and S Europe, with deeply lobed hairy leaves

Word History and Origins

Origin of turkey oak¹

An Americanism dating back to 1700–10

Word History and Origins

Origin of turkey oak¹

C18: so called because its acorns are often eaten by turkeys

Example Sentences

The turkey oak can grow practically submerged within the wetlands of Mississippi, its leaves soft as a newborn’s skin.

From Slate

The powder consists of two parts of unslaked lime and three parts of ashes of oak, or holmoak, or Italian oak, or Turkey oak, or of some similar kind.

From Project Gutenberg

When the said juices are not to be had, two parts of the ashes of oak or holmoak, or of hard oak or Turkey oak, or if these be not available, of beech or pine, are mixed with one part of coarse or fine sand, and a small quantity of salt is added, made from salt water or sea-water, and a small particle of magnes; but these make a less white and translucent glass.

From Project Gutenberg

These troughs are made of oak, holm oak, or Turkey oak; their interior is six feet long, five feet deep, and four feet wide.

From Project Gutenberg

Six other species, including the Holm oak, Himalayan knotweed, Large-flowered waterweed, Pickerelweed, Tree of heaven and Turkey oak, were listed as 'ones to watch'.

From BBC