maple
UK[ˈmeɪp(ə)l]US[ˈmeɪpəl]
n
A type of tree with leaves that have five points and that grow in northern parts of the world, or the wood of this tree.
n
The flavor of the syrup or sugar obtained from the sap of some kinds of maple tree.
Etymology
The word 'maple' originates from the Old English 'mapul' or 'mapel', which referred to the maple tree. This Old English term is believed to have been influenced by a Proto-Germanic root, possibly related to words for the tree in other Germanic languages. The ultimate origin is obscure, but it is a native English word with no clear further derivation from Latin or Greek. Over centuries, its spelling stabilized to 'maple', and its meaning expanded from just the tree to also include its distinctive wood and the flavor derived from its sap.
Analysis
The word 'maple' is a simplex word of English origin. It is not productively formed from smaller, meaningful morphemes in modern English.
Examples
The yard was shaded by a large, old maple tree.
The table is made of solid maple.
She drizzled maple syrup over her pancakes.