Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun
- any tree of the genus Ulmus, as U. procera (English elm), characterized by the gradually spreading columnar manner of growth of its branches.Compare American elm, elm family.
- the wood of such a tree.
noun
- any ulmaceous tree of the genus Ulmus, occurring in the N hemisphere, having serrated leaves and winged fruits (samaras): cultivated for shade, ornament, and timber
- the hard heavy wood of this tree
Old English elm, from Proto-Germanic *elmaz (cf. Danish elm, Old Norse almr, Old High German elme), perhaps from PIE root *el- “red, brown” (see elk); cognate with Latin ulmus, Old Irish lem. German Ulme, Dutch olm are from or influenced by the Latin word.