Lightwood

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of wood known for its low density and relative ease of ignition; timber that burns quickly and brightly, often used as kindling or in fire-starting; a lightweight material sometimes used in woodworking or crafting where ease of handling is preferred
2. Wood characterized by a light color and weight, typically from certain tree species; commonly utilized because it ignites rapidly and produces an intense, bright flame; valued in situations requiring easily combustible wood for fires or quick burning
3. Timber distinguished by its low mass and pale appearance, favored for its ability to catch fire easily; frequently employed to start fires or as fuel that burns briskly and emits strong light; occasionally used in construction or artistic projects where lightness is advantageous

Etymology: Lightwood is a compound of two plain English words, "light" and "wood," and its sense comes straight from combining them. The "light" here is not the word for illumination but an older sense meaning "bright" or "pale," so the name describes timber that is pale in colour and light in weight. Its real purpose was practical: resinous pine splinters and other easily kindled wood were gathered to get a fire going quickly. The word's meaning follows that practical use. Lightwood burned briskly and gave off a bright, strong flame, which made it useful as kindling and as a quick fuel. Because it caught fire so readily, the name stuck to this kind of wood for its ability to start a blaze, rather than for any special quality of the tree it came from.

Synonyms: fatwood, kindling