manzanita
UK[ˌmænzəˈniːtə]US[ˌmænzəˈniːtə]
n
a small evergreen shrub or tree of the heath family, native to western north america, with smooth red or orange bark and small, urn-shaped flowers.
n
the hard, durable wood of this plant.
Etymology
the word 'manzanita' entered english in the mid-19th century as a direct borrowing from spanish, where it is the diminutive form of 'manzana', meaning 'apple'. this name was given by spanish colonists due to the small, apple-like berries produced by the plant. the spanish 'manzana' itself derives from the vulgar latin 'mala mattiāna', meaning 'mattian apples', a variety named after the roman agricultural writer gaius mattius. thus, the name traces a path from a specific roman fruit cultivar, through spanish exploration and description of new world flora, to its modern application for a characteristic north american shrub.
Analysis
the word is a direct loanword from spanish and functions as a single, unanalyzable unit in english.
Examples
the hillside was covered in the twisting, red branches of manzanita.
manzanita berries can be used to make a tart cider.
the furniture was crafted from polished manzanita wood.