maple

views updated May 23 2018

ma·ple / ˈmāpəl/ • n. a tree (genus Acer, family Aceraceae) with lobed leaves, winged fruits, and colorful autumn foliage, grown as an ornamental or for its timber or syrupy sap. Its many species include the North American sugar maple (A. saccharum), which yields the sap from which maple sugar and maple syrup are made. ∎  the flavor of maple syrup or maple sugar.

maple

views updated Jun 11 2018

maple Genus of deciduous trees native to temperate and cool regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. They have yellowish or greenish flowers and winged seeds. They are grown for ornament, shade or timber, depending on the species; the sugar maple is also tapped for maple syrup. A common British example is the sycamore tree. Height: 4.6–36m (15–120ft). Family Aceraceae; genus Acer.

maple

views updated Jun 11 2018

maple In OE. mapeltrēow, mapulder maple- TREE. The simplex is first recorded XIV.

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