white poplar

noun

1. Also called abele. an Old World poplar, Populus alba, widely cultivated in the U.S., having the underside of the leaves covered with a dense silvery-white down.
2. the soft, straight-grained wood of this tree.

white poplar

noun

1. Also calledabele a Eurasian salicaceous tree, Populus alba, having leaves covered with dense silvery-white hairs
2. See tulipwood
   another name for tulipwood

Word History and Origins

Origin of white poplar¹

An Americanism dating back to 1765–75

Example Sentences

We are once more favored with a grass bed instead of one of dust, and with white poplar wood for fuel, instead of buffalo chips.

From Project Gutenberg

Take bark of white poplar root, boil it thick, and add a little spirit, and then lay it on the stomach.

From Project Gutenberg

A rock lay embedded in this rich forest-grass, and over it a huge white poplar spread its branches like a tent.

From Project Gutenberg

In classical superstition the black poplar was consecrated to the goddess Proserpine, and the white poplar to Hercules.

From Project Gutenberg

It is often divided commercially, according to color, into "white poplar" and "yellow poplar."

From Project Gutenberg