Gambel oak

noun

Gam·​bel oak

ˈgambəl-

: a shrub or small tree (Quercus gambelii) of the Rocky mountains with thin scaly gray-brown bark, thick firm leaves with 7 to 11 lobes, and acorns enclosed to half their length by the scaly pubescent cup

Word History

Etymology

after William Gambel †1849 American ornithologist

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined above

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