water oak

American  

noun

1. an oak, Quercus nigra, of the southern U.S., growing chiefly along streams and swamps.

2. any of several other American oaks of similar habit.

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Etymology

Origin of water oak

An Americanism dating back to 1680–90

Example Sentences

A water oak fell into a corner of their house, but they didn’t care.

From Washington Times • Feb. 18, 2017

A log-sized one knifed through the top of a water oak.

From "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls

“You know, Grandpa,” I said, “she wouldn’t bark treed at the water oak like Old Dan did.”

From "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls

The children crouched on the limbs of a water oak that grew outside Mary Anne’s window, listened to their mother’s laughter, and tried to interpret its meaning.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

He climbed a large water oak standing about ten feet from the river and simply disappeared.

From "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls