yew Synonyms
Another word for yew
• noun (Context 1)
Any of various slow-growing, long-lived evergreen coniferous trees or shrubs of the genus Taxus (family Taxaceae), native primarily to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere and characterized by dark green flattened needles, scaly reddish bark, and toxic seeds enclosed in bright red fleshy cups.
"An ancient conifer has stood beside the stone parish church for over eight hundred years."
• noun (Context 2)
The hard, fine-grained, and highly elastic wood of a yew tree, prized in furniture making, turnery, and historically for crafting medieval longbows.
"The master craftsman selected a seasoned stave of timber for its exceptional strength and flexibility."
• noun (Context 3)
The small, sweet, gelatinous red berry-like seed cup (aril) produced by the yew tree, which is the only non-toxic, edible part of the plant when the poisonous inner seed is removed.
"Thrush and waxwing flocks gather in late autumn to feed on the bright red aril berries."