underwood

American  

[uhn-der-wood] / ˈʌn dərˌwʊd /

noun

1. woody shrubs or small trees growing among taller trees.

2. a clump or stretch of such growth.

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Underwood ¹ British  

/ ˈʌndəˌwʊd /

noun

1. Rory. born 1963, English Rugby Union player: played 85 times for England (1984–96) and scored 49 tries (an England record)

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underwood ² British  

/ ˈʌndəˌwʊd /

noun

1. a less common word for undergrowth

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Other Word Forms

• underwooded adjective

Etymology

Origin of underwood

First recorded in 1275–1325, underwood is from the Middle English word underwode. See under-, wood ¹

Example Sentences

“The natural underwood has been grubbed up,” Olmsted wrote at the time, “the trees, to a height of 10 to 15 feet, trimmed to bare poles.”

From New York Times

After the next volley some of the men plunged into the underwood, encouraged by the voice of the sergeant shouting: "After him, men, at all costs; he cannot be far off."

From Project Gutenberg

In some places the trees grew closely together, with a thick underwood, which shut-in the path on both sides, and through which the road had been partially cleared by the 33d.

From Project Gutenberg

For the underwoods were populous with serpents of all kinds, many of which were venomous.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a rusty, damp-stained door, once painted green, and masked by trees somewhat higher than the underwood through which they had climbed.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• scrub
• thicket