afrormosia

[ af-rawr-moh-zee-uh, -zhuh, -rohr- ]

noun

1. a tree, Pericopsis elata (or Afrormosia elata ), of western Africa, having wood that resembles teak and is used in cabinetwork.
2. the wood of this tree.

afrormosia

/ ˌæfrɔːˈməʊzɪə /

noun

1. a hard teaklike wood obtained from tropical African trees of the leguminous genus Pericopsis

Word History and Origins

Origin of afrormosia¹

< New Latin (1906), originally the genus name, equivalent to Latin Āfr-, stem of Āfer (adj.) African + New Latin Ormosia a genus to which the plant was first attributed (irregular from Greek hórmos necklace + New Latin -ia -ia; so called because the seeds of the plant were strung as necklaces)

Word History and Origins

Origin of afrormosia¹

C20: from Afro- + Ormosia (genus name)

Example Sentences

He looks forward to the blooming of afrormosia trees, also known as African teak, a rare species with reds so vibrant he can spot them from his boat in the middle of the river.

From Seattle Times

Clean lines define the exterior architecture and continue inside, where living spaces boast walnut walls, oak floors and afrormosia wood ceilings.

From Los Angeles Times

“Everything has been cleared up,” said Wayne Rogers, president of East Teak Fine Hardwoods Inc. He said the wood—an exotic species called afrormosia—was purchased through a company in Europe.

From Wall Street Journal