rosewood

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a dense, dark reddish or purplish hardwood with a strongly marked grain, valued for furniture and decorative work

   The writing desk was made of polished rosewood with brass fittings.

2. 2
   noun

   any of several tropical trees, especially species of Dalbergia, that yield this wood

   The plantation replaced illegally cut rosewood with native seedlings.

A compound of rose + wood, originally referring to fragrant wood whose scent suggested roses. The name was later extended to several richly colored tropical cabinet woods, particularly dark, strongly grained species of Dalbergia.

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