English Reference

Word

maple

US/ˈmeɪpəɫ/

UK/mˈeɪpəl/

Definitions

01the tree

B1

n. a tree with leaves that have pointed parts, often turning bright red or orange in autumn.

n. any tree or shrub of the genus Acer, typically possessing palmate leaves and winged fruits known as samaras.

“The maple in our garden turns a beautiful bright red every October.”

“The park is home to several species of maple, which provide a spectacular display of crimson and gold foliage during the autumn months.”

02the wood

B2

n. the hard, pale wood from a maple tree, used to make furniture or floors.

n. the hard, close-grained wood of the maple tree, valued for its durability and aesthetic appeal in cabinetry and flooring.

“The kitchen cabinets are made of solid maple.”

“The luthier selected a piece of curly maple for the back of the violin, prized for both its acoustic properties and its striking visual figure.”

Synonyms

03the flavour

B1 · Cooking

n. the sweet taste of the sap from a maple tree, usually found in syrup.

n. the characteristic flavour derived from the concentrated sap of the sugar maple tree.

“I love the taste of maple on my pancakes in the morning.”

“The chef used authentic maple to glaze the roasted vegetables, providing a subtle sweetness that complemented the earthy tones of the dish.”

Etymology

From Middle English mapel, from Old English mapul (attested in mapultrēow and mapulder), from Proto-West Germanic mapul. See also Old Saxon mapulder, Old High German mazaltra, mazzaltra; also Old Norse mǫpurr, Middle Low German mapeldorn, dialectal Dutch meppel, German Masseller, Maßholder; also Old English mæsen (“maple”), Old Norse mǫsurr (“maple”), German Maser (“knob, offshoot”); also German Mase (“scar”), modern Maser (“speck, measle”). More at measles.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

Level
B1 · Intermediate
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

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English Reference