ENGLISH
REFERENCE

arbor

n. countable
C1 Advanced US //ˈɑɹbɝ// UK //ˈɑːbɐ// ar·bor

n. a large tree, especially one that provides shade. You might see this word in older books or formal writing.

n. a large tree, particularly one valued for its shade or ornamental qualities. Literary or formal register; largely replaced by 'tree' in everyday speech.


SIMPLE

We sat under the old arbor in the garden.

CONTEXTUAL

The community planted a large arbor near the park entrance to provide shade for visitors.

COMPLEX

Beneath the sprawling arbor, the elders gathered to share stories, their voices blending with the rustle of leaves above.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From Middle English arbour, erbour, from Old French erbier (“field, meadow, kitchen garden”), from erbe (“grass, herb”), from Latin herba (“grass, herb”) (English herb). (Compare Late Latin herbārium, although erbier is possibly an independent formation.) The spelling was influenced by Latin arbor (“tree”).

Etymology 2

Borrowed from French arbre (“tree, axis”), spelling influenced by Latin arbor (“tree”).

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