poplar
UK[ˈpɒp.lə]US[ˈpɑː.plɚ]
n
A tall, thin tree with triangular leaves that tremble in the wind, often grown for its wood or for decoration.
Etymology
The journey of 'poplar' into English is a story of botanical borrowing. Its ultimate source is the Latin 'populus', which specifically denoted the poplar tree. This Latin term passed into Old French as 'poplier', a form which Middle English then adopted. While the Latin 'populus' is homographic with the word for 'people' (a distinct etymology), the arboreal term's origins are obscure, possibly stemming from a lost Mediterranean language. The modern English spelling 'poplar' crystallized by the late 14th century, solidifying its identity as the name for this distinctive, fast-growing tree.
Analysis
The word 'poplar' is a simplex loanword. It entered English from the Old French 'poplier', which itself derived from the Latin 'populus', meaning 'poplar tree'. The Latin term is likely of pre-Latin, possibly Italic or substrate, origin.
Examples
The wind rustled through the leaves of the tall poplar.
Poplar wood is commonly used for making matches and paper pulp.
A row of poplars lined the edge of the field, swaying gently.