handkerchief tree

English

WOTD – 18 September 2025

Etymology

From handkerchief +‎ tree.[1]

Pronunciation

  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˌhæŋkət͡ʃɪf ˈtɹiː/, /-t͡ʃiːf-/
  • (General American) IPA(key): /ˌhæŋkəɹt͡ʃəf ˈtɹi/
  • Audio (General American):(file)
  • Rhymes: -iː
  • Hyphenation: hand‧ker‧chief

Noun

handkerchief tree (plural handkerchief trees)

  2. The dove tree (Davidia involucrata), which has large white bracts said to look like handkerchiefs.
    Synonym: ghost tree
  3. (archaic) An arrangement of handkerchiefs in the form of a tree, specifically on a stand as a display for sale.

Translations

References

  1. ^ “handkerchief tree, n.”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, September 2025.

Further reading

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