logwood
UK[ˈlɒɡwʊd]US[ˈlɔːɡwʊd]
n
a tropical american tree of the pea family, from which a dark heartwood is obtained.
n
the dark, heavy heartwood of the logwood tree, used as a source of dye.
Morpheme Breakdown
log
wood
log
wood
Etymology
the word 'logwood' is a transparent english compound formed from two native germanic elements. 'log' derives from the old english sense of a felled tree or heavy piece of timber, while 'wood' is the generic term for the substance of a tree. the compound directly and literally describes the tree and its valuable timber, which was historically cut into heavy logs for transport. its formation follows the common english pattern of combining two nouns to create a name for a specific type of tree or wood, similar to 'ironwood' or 'rosewood'.
Analysis
Structure: log + wood
log (middle english, from old english, meaning a felled tree trunk; functional role: attributive noun specifying type). wood (old english, meaning the hard fibrous substance of a tree; functional role: head noun).
Examples
the deep purple dye was historically extracted from logwood.
the ship's cargo included several tons of logwood for the dyeing industry.
logwood trees are native to central america and the caribbean.