goncalo alves

noun

gon·​ca·​lo al·​ves

gənˌsalōˈalvə̇s

1

: a tall tropical American timber tree (Astronium fraxinifolium) of the family Anacardiaceae that is especially abundant in eastern Brazil

2

: the hard strong durable heavy wood of the goncalo alves that has a straight grain and dark stripes on a yellowish to pinkish ground and is widely used for veneer, fine furniture, and heavy construction where its durability is important

called also kingwood, zebrawood

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese gonçalo-alves

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