Ashwood

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The hard, elastic timber obtained from trees of the ash genus, prized for tool handles and sporting equipment
2. Strong and flexible wood derived from ash trees, commonly used in manufacturing implements and furniture
3. Timber from an ash tree characterized by its durability and springiness, valued for applications requiring strength and resilience

Etymology: Ashwood is about as transparent as English compounds get: it simply joins "ash," the name of the tree, with "wood," the timber or material cut from trees. The tree's name is itself old Germanic inheritance, which is why the two parts look so plain together. Here the compound describes wood from ash trees, prized for its pale color, toughness, and flexibility, which is why it has long been used for tool handles, oars, and furniture.