Abele

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /əˈbiːl/

Definitions

1. A species of tree recognized for its pale bark and affinity for moist habitats, often used in landscaping and woodcraft
2. This tree, distinguished by its light-colored bark, commonly grows in damp areas and is valued for its timber's quality
3. A type of tree characterized by its smooth, light-colored bark that thrives in wet environments and is sought after for its durable wood

Etymology: The abele is a white poplar, and its name is a little diminutive joke about its colour. Latin "albus" meant "white", and medieval Latinists formed "albellus", a small or slightly whitish thing, to name the tree. The Old French forms "aubel" and "aubiel" carried the word into the language, and Middle English then used it as "abelle" and "albell", with spellings wandering further when Middle Dutch "abeel" also influenced some forms. The tree's pale underside of leaves and smooth, light bark gave it its name, so the word is essentially "the slightly white one". Its wood, which is durable and prized in wet conditions, kept the name in use among woodworkers and gardeners long after the Latin sense of "whitish" had faded from everyday thought.