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arborvitae
noun
ar·bor·vi·tae
ˌär-bər-ˈvī-tē
: any of various evergreen trees and shrubs (especially genus Thuja) of the cypress family that usually have closely overlapping or compressed scale leaves and are often grown for ornament and in hedges
Examples of arborvitae in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For example, while deer will eagerly nibble on a tender arborvitae, a similar-looking but pricklier juniper will be ignored.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Nov. 2024
Picture these South Louisville neighborhoods being gradually hugged by a growing mix of pines, hollies, arborvitaes, magnolias, dogwoods, oaks, and more.
—Bill Frist, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
Reducing the height of a tall arborvitae will stunt the top growth and give it a permanent gap or flat-looking top.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 11 July 2024
Tall green arborvitaes stand sentinel around the grounds of the picture-perfect Better Homes & Gardens Test Garden®, keeping watch over the half-acre space full of colorful plants and gardening inspiration.
—Jeanne Ambrose, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Mar. 2023
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Word History
Etymology
New Latin arbor vitae, literally, tree of life
First Known Use
1664, in the meaning defined above
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Cite this Entry
“Arborvitae.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arborvitae. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
arborvitae
noun
ar·bor·vi·tae
ˌär-bər-ˈvīt-ē
: any of various evergreen trees and shrubs with closely overlapping scalelike leaves that are often grown for ornament and hedges
Etymology
modern Latin arbor vitae, literally "tree of life"
More from Merriam-Webster on arborvitae
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about arborvitae
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