Definitions
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- n. The tree Guaiacum officinale, or its hard and durable wood; also, G. sanctum. See Guaiacum.
- n. A name of several other trees of which the wood is more or less similar to that of G. officinale. That of Guiana is Ixora triflorum, also called hackia; that of Queensland, Vitex lignum-vitæ of the Verbenaceæ. Acacia falcata, and Eucalyptus polyanthema of New South Wales have likewise received the same name; and so has Melanorrhea usitata, the black-varnish tree of Burma and Pegu.
GNU Webster's 1913
- n. (Bot.) A tree (Guaiacum officinale) found in the warm latitudes of America, from which the guaiacum of medicine is procured. Its wood is very hard and heavy, and is used for various mechanical purposes, as for the wheels of ships' blocks, cogs, bearings, and the like. See guaiacum.
WordNet 3.0
- n. hard greenish-brown wood of the lignum vitae tree and other trees of the genus Guaiacum
- n. small evergreen tree of Caribbean and southern Central America to northern South America; a source of lignum vitae wood, hardest of commercial timbers, and a medicinal resin
Examples
“We passed immense quantities of ebony and lignum-vitae, and the tree from whose smooth and bitter bark granaries are made for corn.”
A Popular Account of Dr. Livingstone's Expedition to the Zambesi and Its Tributaries
“The lignum-vitae is introduced in the manner shown in the drawing.”
“The last great improvement in connection with the screw remains to be noticed, namely, lining the "bushings" and "bearings" with lignum-vitae, -- the invention of Mr. Penn, of Greenwich, near London.”
“Among these are mahogany, cedar, ebony, and lignum-vitae trees.”
Little Journey to Puerto Rico : for Intermediate and Upper Grades For Intermediate and Upper Grades
“Pelle felt in his pocket and nodded; the little round piece of lignum-vitae that was to carry him over the difficulties of the day lay there.”
“Among other woods are the lignum-vitae, granadilla, the coco-wood, and the _Cedrela Odorata_”
“It depends: if it's the hardness you want, should recommend lignum-vitae and ebony; if the wood, economy would suggest that white-pine, and certain other softer sorts, be not overlooked.”
“The fillagree, with its narrow, dark glossy-green leaves; the privet, with its modest white blossoms and purple berries; the lignum-vitae, with its strong resinous odour; the burnet-rose, and a great variety of elegant unknowns.”
“The road, or rather path, which leads to Cumanacoa, runs along the right bank of the Manzanares, passing by the hospital of the Capuchins, situated in a small wood of lignum-vitae and arborescent capparis.”
“A copse of cedar, brazilletto, and lignum-vitae, rises behind this hedge.”
Lists
These user-created lists contain the word ‘lignum-vitae’.
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Whaleworthy & Piratical Words
A list of favorite nautical words to be sprinkled liberally throughout speech for piratical or Melvillian effect.
batten down, back and fill, beamy, baulking, beckets, bilge, bold shore, boomjumper, breaker, larboard, abaft, ash breeze and 156 more...
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