English · Nature & Environment
elm
/elm/
[/elm/]
tall shade tree
Intermediatenoun
Definition
A large deciduous tree with rough, serrated leaves, once common along streets before Dutch elm disease.
Example
A row of stately elms once shaded the avenue before the disease swept through the town.
A row of stately elms once shaded the avenue before the disease swept through the town.
Etymology
From Old English 'elm', of Germanic origin.
How & Where It’s Used
Mentioned in talk of urban trees and historic landscapes.