arbor

¹

[ ahr-ber ]

noun

1. a leafy, shady recess formed by tree branches, shrubs, etc.
2. a latticework bower intertwined with climbing vines and flowers.
3. Obsolete. a grass plot; lawn; garden; orchard.

arbor

²

[ ahr-ber ]

noun

1. Machinery.
   1. a bar, shaft, or axis that holds, turns, or supports a rotating cutting tool or grinding wheel, often having a tapered shank fitting tightly into the spindle of a machine tool. Compare mandrel.
   2. a beam, shaft, axle, or spindle.
2. Metallurgy. a reinforcing member of a core or mold.

arbor

³

[ ahr-ber ]

noun

, Botany.

, plural ar·bo·res [ahr, -b, uh, -reez].

1. a tree.

arbor

¹

/ ˈɑːbə /

noun

1. the US spelling of arbour

arbor

²

/ ˈɑːbə /

noun

1. a rotating shaft in a machine or power tool on which a milling cutter or grinding wheel is fitted
2. a rotating shaft or mandrel on which a workpiece is fitted for machining
3. metallurgy a part, piece, or structure used to reinforce the core of a mould

Other Words From

• arbo·resque adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of arbor¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English (h)erber, erba(i)re, arbere “(flower) garden, pleasure garden, herb garden,” Anglo-French (h)erber, Old French (h)erbier “grassy place, herb garden”; respelling with -or under the influence of arbor ³

Origin of arbor²

First recorded in 1650–60; from French, arbre “tree, axis,” from Latin arbor “tree, mast, (spear) shaft, oar”; respelling of earlier arber, arbre by association with arbor ³

Origin of arbor³

First recorded in 1660–70; from New Latin, Latin; arbor ²( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of arbor¹

C17: from Latin: tree, mast

Example Sentences

Trees will be delivered with stakes, ties, arbor guards and an instructional DVD on tree planting and maintenance.

From Los Angeles Times

Long-term goals include building a cultural center and an arbor for traditional dance and games.

From Los Angeles Times

They were often planted on backyard arbors, where they would provide both shade and a snack.

From Salon

Maybe this is the year to add a rose arbor or put in raised vegetable beds.

From Seattle Times

The garden sits at the top of a steep rockery with stairs leading to an entry arbor swagged with the sweetly fragrant pink blooms of that original ‘New Dawn’.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

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• box
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