wych elm

[ wich ]

noun

1. an elm, Ulmus glabra, of northern and western Europe, having large, coarse leaves.

wych-elm

/ ˈwɪtʃˌɛlm /

noun

1. Eurasian elm tree, Ulmus glabra, having a rounded shape, longish pointed leaves, clusters of small flowers, and winged fruits
2. the wood of this tree

Word History and Origins

Origin of wych elm¹

1620–30; wych wych elm, Middle English wyche, Old English wice

Word History and Origins

Origin of wych elm¹

C17: from Old English wice wych-elm

Example Sentences

The wych elm at Beauly in the Highlands is almost 800 years old, with references to the tree found in records going back to medieval times.

From BBC

This butterfly is making history: It’s crossed the border into Scotland, where it has settled happily in a native wych elm tree and been sighted in the country for the first time in 133 years.

From Salon

He has a rosy, idyllic view of their shared youth, one that is challenged when a literal skeleton appears — not in the closet, but in the giant wych elm in the garden.

From Los Angeles Times

The wych elm has a notoriety that must have given French a kernel of plot inspiration.

From New York Times

A slab of live-edge English wych elm spills over the center island.

From Washington Post