rosewood

Meaning

Noun

• The fragrant wood of Dalbergia nigra (species), a Brazilian tree in the legume family, which has a sweet smell.
• Any of several dozen woods, resembling that of Dalbergia nigra (species) in some respect.
• The wood of a South American tree, Aniba rosaeodora (species), in the laurel family, with fragrant wood from which an essential oil is distilled.
• Wood and plant of Pterocarpus spp., for example African rosewood or mukula or Burmese rosewood (Pterocarpus indicus, syn. Pterocarpus santalinus (species)).

Related

Similar words

• Brazilian rosewood, Rio rosewood, Bahia rosewood, pianowood

Origin

• A compound of rose + wood, originally so named because of the rose-scented aromatic oil derived from it; applied in later senses on account of these woods’ predominantly reddish-brown colour.