juniper

[ joo-nuh-per ]

noun

1. any evergreen, coniferous shrub or tree of the genus Juniperus, especially J. communis, having cones that resemble dark-blue or blackish berries used in flavoring gin and in medicine as a diuretic.
2. a tree mentioned in the Old Testament, said to be the retem.

juniper

/ ˈdʒuːnɪpə /

noun

1. any coniferous shrub or small tree of the genus Juniperus, of the N hemisphere, having purple berry-like cones. The cones of J. communis ( common or dwarf juniper ) are used as a flavouring in making gin See also red cedar
2. any of various similar trees, grown mainly as ornamentals
3. Old Testament one of the trees used in the building of Solomon's temple (I Kings 6:15, 34) and for shipbuilding (Ezekiel 27:5)

Word History and Origins

Origin of juniper¹

1350–1400; Middle English junipere < Latin jūniperus

Word History and Origins

Origin of juniper¹

C14: from Latin jūniperus, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

London dry gins can actually be made anywhere following specific production rules that, beyond stipulating the primacy of juniper and tightly restricting sugar content, do not really govern how the gin must taste.

From Washington Post

For ten consecutive nights, I could barely breathe from all the juniper pollen, which was visibly caked on the branches outside my bedroom windows.

From Outside Online

In particular, the young researchers found it strange that there were no stands of juniper trees at its summit, despite the fact that the hardy conifers thrived at similar elevations nearby.

From Popular-Science

Fueling their light sources were juniper branches, animal fat and other materials that Stone Age humans would have had at hand.

From Science News For Students

Hardy, drought-tolerant softwoods like junipers and pinyon pines dominate in the hot, dry landscape of central New Mexico, with smatterings of taller Douglas firs and spruces in the cooler, higher reaches of the mountains.

From MIT Technology Review

Hoffman at Juniper has some advice on how to protect yourself.

From The Daily Beast

Might this be the endgame of the series, to see the Henricksons restored as the rightful custodians of Juniper Creek?

From The Daily Beast

Flavors of red plums, juniper, and star anise make it the perfect holiday party red to go with cheeses or chocolate truffles.

From The Daily Beast

Juniper, which is the principal flavoring of gin, is very fragrant, with a pine scent.

From The Daily Beast

The sun was printing over the floor the shadow skeleton of the juniper-tree by the westerly window.

From Project Gutenberg

Burn the male olive-branch and the pine twig and juniper, and let the blazing laurel crackle amid the hearth.

From Project Gutenberg

In spite of the snow that evening we had a cheery bonfire of juniper, willow and rhododendron.

From Project Gutenberg

Mince an onion; take about a dozen peppercorns, twenty juniper berries, three bayleaves, and put these into a gill of vinegar.

From Project Gutenberg

In front of the house there was a court, in which grew a juniper-tree.

From Project Gutenberg