juniper
juniper Lexical Profile
juniper Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Any of various evergreen coniferous shrubs or trees of the genus Juniperus in the cypress family (Cupressaceae), native throughout the Northern Hemisphere and characterized by needle-like or scale-like foliage and aromatic bluish-black seed cones.
"Low-growing juniper shrubs were planted along the rocky slope to prevent soil erosion."
The small, aromatic, bluish-black fleshy seed cone (commonly called a berry) produced by the juniper shrub, widely used as a culinary spice to flavor game meats, sauces, and gin.
"The chef crushed a handful of dried juniper with black peppercorns to season the venison roast."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in Middle English from Latin juniperus (specifically iuniperus), a word of uncertain pre-Latin Mediterranean origin traditionally associated by folk etymology with iuvenis ('young') and parere ('to produce'), in reference to its evergreen foliage.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.