Applewood

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of hardwood from the fruit-bearing tree that produces pomaceous fruits, valued for its dense grain and aromatic qualities when burned or used in smoking meats
2. A hardwood derived from a tree that yields edible fruit, prized for its compact grain and pleasant aroma when utilized in culinary applications or as fuel for smoking foods
3. This specific wood type originates from a fruit-bearing tree, recognized for its fine texture and fragrant characteristics, especially valued in barbecue and cooking methods

Etymology: Applewood is about as transparent as compounds get: "apple" joined to "wood," with no hidden twist in the joining. The surprise lies in what the pairing means for the timber itself. The name points to the tree that bears the fruit, not to the fruit, so the wood is valued in its own right for the dense grain and sweet, aromatic smoke it gives off when burned. Cooks who smoke meats prize it for that fragrance, which is why the name has stayed attached to a material chosen for its scent rather than its strength.