dogwood

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   any of various trees or shrubs of the genus Cornus, often bearing showy flowerlike bracts and red or dark fruit

   A flowering dogwood brightened the woodland edge in early spring.

2. 2
   noun

   the hard, close-grained wood of a dogwood tree or shrub

   The craftsperson chose dogwood for the small tool handle because it was hard and durable.

Probably altered from earlier dagwood, a compound of dag, 'a pointed tool such as a skewer,' and wood. The tree's hard timber was used for such implements. The modern form dogwood prompted later folk explanations involving dogs, but those explanations are not supported by the early name.

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