Rosebays

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of flowering plant belonging to the genus Rhododendron, known for its beautiful pink or purple blossoms
2. A common name for several species often found in mountainous regions and characterized by evergreen leaves
3. A popular ornamental shrub cultivated for its vibrant flowers and hardiness in various climates

Etymology: "Rosebays" is the plural of "rosebay," a noun for a pink-flowered mountain shrub. The plural simply makes the word countable, so a hillside dotted with the plants is a stand of rosebays. The singular is the older-looking of the pair in its construction, built from "rose" and "bay," but the compound itself is what matters for understanding the plural, since the plural form follows ordinary English pattern: add an "s" to the end of the head word.